©£2,3 


A  Tragedy 

By 

ODIN  GREGORY 

With 
An  Introduction 

By 

Theodore  Dreiser 


If  the  story  of  this  great  heart,  and  its  martyrdom, 
seems  strangely  familiar,  bear  in  mind  that  the  phi 
losophy  the  Nazarene  taught  was  new  to  the  Jews  only 


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Introduction 


(OR  three  centuries,  the  English  metric 
drama  has   remained   sterile   of   any 
notable  production.  It  may  well  be 
that  Shakespere  set  a  standard  too 
high  for  any  other  mortal  to  attain, 
even  in  the  ages  to  come.  Certain  it 
is  that  the  efforts  of  Massinger,  of 
Marlowe,    of   Ben  Jonson,  of  Beaumont,  of  Fletcher, 
of  Middleton,  and  of  all  the  others  of  that  brilliant 
galaxy  of  the  Elizabethan  period,  carried  no  appeal 
to  the  generations  that  followed.  The  very  titles  of 
their  great  plays,  such  as  "  Tamburlaine,"  "  The  Jew 
of  Malta,"  "  Duke  of  Milan,"    "  The  Fatal  Dowry," 
'  The  Maid  of  the  Inn,"    "  The    Fall    of    Sejanus," 
(  Volpone,"  sound  strange  in  modern  ears. 

In  France,  the  works  of  Racine,  of  Moliere,  of 
Corneille  and  of  Voltaire  continue  a  splendid  history, 
to  which  Hugo  and  Rostand  added  no  mean  measure 
of  lustre.  The  Italian  revival  may  be  continued  down 
to  the  Eighteenth  Century,  when  it  produced  the  simple 
intensity  of  Alfieri.  In  the  literature  of  Germany, 
Schiller,  Goethe  and  Hauptmann  made  the  Eighteenth 
and  Nineteenth  Centuries  glorious. 

But  in  the  English  language,  the  actor-manager- 
playwright  from  Stratford  stands  by  himself — a  very 
Colossus  of  the  ages.  He  marks  the  beginning,  and, 
thus  far,  the  end,  of  the  influence  of  the  Renaissance 
on  our  poetic  drama.  The  great  Greek  poets  laid  the 
foundation  of  the  harmonic  expression  of  thought  and 
action.  And  there  is,  in  our  language,  no  surviving 

435840 


S   GRACCHUS      INTRODUCTION 

personality  whose  plays  affirmatively  force  our  atten 
tion,  between  their  time,  and  the  day  of  Shakespere — 
nor  since.  It  may  be  that  the  day  of  the  exact  and  ex 
alted  poetic  drama,  whatever  its  inherent  literary  or 
social  value,  has  gone.  Life  may  have  adjusted  its  ends 
permanently  to  a  different  arrangement  or  beat  of 
thought.  Admitting,  for  argument's  sake,  that  the  Rab 
elaisian  productions  of  Massinger,  Marlowe  and  Ben 
Jonson  failed  to  hold  the  popular  attention  for  the  same 
reason  that  Shakespere's  "  Pericles,"  and  the  doubtful 
"Titus  Andronicus"  failed  to  hold  it,  still  the  ultimate 
fact  remains  that  a  few  plays  of  Shakespere's  constitute 
practically  the  whole  of  our  heritage  of  poetic  drama 
or  important  tragedy  as  known  and  given  public  atten 
tion  today. 

The  critics,  the  self -a  vowed  "  experts,"  the  ex 
pounders,  and  the  textwriters,  all  tell  us  that  the 
Elizabethan  cult  is  very  dead.  They  join  in  assuring 
the  would-be  venturer  into  the  field  of  metric  drama 
that  he  is  chasing  the  proverbial  undomesticated  goose; 
that  every  one  who  has  tried  his  hand  at  the  game  has 
had  nothing  but  his  frenzy  for  his  effort. 

Certain  facts  may,  perhaps,  seem  to  justify  those 
solemn  warnings.  The  ambitious  essays  into  dramatic 
poetry  of  yesterday — where  are  they?  True — Bulwer 
Lytton's  "  Richelieu  "  is  still  occasionally  played,  by 
our  persistent  tragedians.  Stephen  Phillips  did  his  best 
in  "  Herod; "  his  style  was  even  hailed  by  some  of  our 
professional  wiseacres  as  being  a  wonderful  new  prod 
uct.  But  the  public  displayed  no  enthusiasm:  not  even 
mild  interest.  So,  Phillips'  wan  work  died.  Had  he 
written  less  for  the  critics,  and  more  for  the  people, 
he  might  have  achieved  real  results. 

In  my  view,  the  reason  why  great  dramatic  poems 
have  failed  to  gain  attention  since  the  Seventeenth 
Century,  is  that  no  one  writing  our  language  metri 
cally  has  had  anything  to  say  that  the  English-speak 
ing  people  cared  to  hear,  or,  having  anything  to  say, 
has  had  the  courage,  the  talent  or  the  genius  to  say 
it  in  such  fashion  as  to  compel  public  attention.  This 


INTRODUCTION      CAIUS   GRACCHUS      PAGE  5 

regrettable  condition  also  applies,  in  great  measure,  to 
the  prose  drama.  Eliminate  Sheridan's  works,  and  what 
English  play  is  there  that  has  survived  the  test  of  even 
a  century? 

But  why  does  this  condition  maintain? 

The  answer  suggests  itself. 

Puritanism — the  inspiration  of  the  period  of  Oliver 
Cromwell — dedicated  itself  to  the  murder  of  the  soul 
of  English  poetry,  by  the  unsparing  use  of  cant.  The 
effect  of  this  drab  poison  continued  through  the  Res 
toration.  It  crossed  the  Atlantic  with  the  Pilgrims, 
and  it  is  with  us  today.  It  was  inevitable  that  there 
after  English  genius,  when  it  did  manifest  itself,  should 
do  so  in  the  ode  rather  than  in  the  sonnet.  We  had 
Milton  in  the  middle  of  the  Seventeenth  Century. 
And  then — we  had  Bunyan.  Cant,  regnant  and  tri 
umphant,  held  aloft  the  whining  church  hymn  as  the 
greatest  thing  in  poesy;  and  a  people  blinded  by  its 
own  dust-throwing,  celebrated  the  extinction  of  free 
literature  as  a  great  moral  victory. 

It  is  the  fashion  of  the  day  for  the  literary  censors 
to  decry  the  decadence  of  English  letters.  They  bewail 
the  utter  banality  of  "  best  sellers,"  and  sometimes 
almost  shed  tears  because  no  one  is  essaying  real 
"  literature."  All  of  which  is  quite  touching.  But  woe 
to  the  unfortunate  who  takes  any  of  this  seriously, 
and  addresses  himself  to  letters  for  art's  sake.  Moved 
by  that  splenetic  resentment  on  which  both  Pope  and 
Byron  had  occasion  to  comment,  they  are  immediately 
upon  him  with  such  outpourings  of  venom  as  small 
minds  have  always  found  useful  to  conceal  their  own 
vapidness — or  prostitution. 

Into  this  situation,  a  new  author  intrudes,  with  his 
offering  of  a  tragedy,  in  the  classic  style.  The  venture 
calls  for  courage. 

We  open  the  book  with,  say,  tolerance.  And  what  do 
we  find  in  its  pages  ? 

A  dramatic  work  that  breathes  questions,  thoughts, 
perplexities,  struggles  that  are  as  old  as  humanity.  The 
writer,  we  soon  discover,  is  no  maudlin  sentimentalist. 


PAGE  6      CAITJS  GRACCHUS      INTRODUCTION 

Essaying  the  Roman  world,  and  an  interpretation  of 
the  humanist  mood,  he  sees  pleb  and  patrician,  cour 
tesan  and  lady,  slave  and  lord,  in  the  true  relation  of 
each  to  the  other. 

And  he  paints  them  as  he  sees  them.  He  refuses  to 
believe  that  the  province  of  literature,  or  of  poetry,  is  to 
deal  only  with  piffle.  He  refuses  to  accept  the  dictum  of 
the  "  authorities  "  that  the  mission  of  modern  literature 
is  to  serve  as  a  sort  of  sublimated  "  movie."  His  char 
acters  are  no  mere  lay  figures,  induced  to  action  by  the 
more  or  less  artful,  but  always  obvious,  pulling  of 
strings.  Each  of  his  personages  lives,  breathes  and 
moves  as  do  the  men  and  women  of  our  own  time. 
It  is  refreshing  to  note  that  the  play  is  not  propaganda. 
The  temptation  to  subvert  the  Muse  to  such  purposes 
is  very  strong.  Even  the  "  Divina  Commedia,"  we 
are  told,  was  written  in  support  of  a  political  faction, 
and  the  "  Furies  "  of  ^Eschylus,  to  which  I  shall  refer 
later  on,  was  worked  out  to  bolster  up  the  Areopagus. 

But  in  the  present  case,  the  author  simply  shows 
us  the  human  mass — high,  low  and  middling — as  it  is, 
and  invites  us  to  take  our  choice.  He  is  the  painter, 
not  the  advocate. 

In  saying  the  foregoing,  I  do  not  wish  to  be  taken 
as  missing  the  point  that  throughout  the  volume  there 
runs  a  note  of  passionate  insistence  on  the  sanctity  of 
Law,  and  on  the  inevitableness  of  its  ultimate  triumph : 
it  is  too  patent  to  require  expatiation.  But  this  basic 
strain  is  one  of  philosophic  conviction — not  of  argument. 

In  reading  the  work,  we  soon  become  conscious 
that  the  author  writes  of  the  Roman  Rome  of  the 
period  covered  by  the  play.  It  is  not  an  English  Rome, 
or  an  American  Rome.  Almost  every  page,  bears  evi 
dence  of  study,  of  classic  accuracy.  We  are  not  offended 
by  anachronisms.  Even  the  master  of  Avon  sometimes 
failed  in  this  particular.  When  Venus  pleads  with  Adonis, 
it  is  a  buxom  Englishwoman  of  the  middle  class  who  is 
entreating  an  Eton  youth:  and  the  scene  is  that  of 
an  English  middle-counties  countryside.  When  Brutus 
confers  with  the  conspirators,  when  Cleopatra  exchanges 


INTRODUCTION      CAIUS  GRACCHUS      PAGE  7 

compliments  with  Antony,  we  are  uncomfortably 
conscious  of  an  all-English  atmosphere.  True,  the 
Shakesperian  genius  rose  superior  to  these  minutiae. 
But  that  is  no  reason  why  we  should  not  welcome  one 
who  writes  of  Rome  in  the  second  century  before 
Christ  as  it  then  was,  and  as  its  thoughts,  its  manners 
and  its  customs  then  were. 

The  present  volume  shows,  in  its  every  line,  that 
it  is  the  work  of  a  man  who  has  something  to  say, 
and  who  says  it  well.  When  he  touches  on  economics, 
he  speaks  with  authority.  Having  chosen  the  iambic 
pentameter  as  his  medium,  the  author  convinces  us  that 
he  is  master  of  the  art  of  being  stately,  without  being 
stilted.  Not  for  an  instant  do  his  characters  step  out  of 
the  picture.  There  is  neither  overdrawing,  nor  under 
drawing.  We  come  to  understand  every  individual 
almost  immediately  after  his,  or  her,  introduction. 
Throughout,  Odin  Gregory  shows  an  exquisite  and  pre 
cise  sense  of  values.  By  this  I  mean  values  of  words  and 
style,  as  well  as  values  of  situation  and  action.  When 
one  of  his  characters  is  drawn  into  what  may  be  called 
"  rhetoric,"  the  action  itself  has  been  such  as  to  make 
rhetoric  acceptable.  In  the  fifth  act,  the  mingling  of  the 
real  with  the  unreal,  of  the  supernatural  and  the  phan- 
tastic  with  the  commonplace,  is  so  delicately  handled, 
that  the  eerie  is  no  longer  so.  The  progress  of  Gracchus 
to  the  state  of  exaltation  in  despondency  that  must 
precede  the  peremptory  order  to  the  soldier  to  admin 
ister  the  death-blow,  constitutes  a  study  in  psychology 
that  has  not  been  surpassed  in  any  of  the  imaginative 
writing  with  which  I  am  familiar. 

Of  the  structural  quality  of  the  work,  it  may  be  said 
that  the  author  has  brought  the  spirit  of  the  Eliza 
bethan  verse  to  the  Twentieth  Century.  Odin  Gregory 
is  a  classicist.  His  inspiration  is  plainly  that  of  Spenser, 
Shakespere,  Jonson  and  Dryden,  not  uninfluenced  by 
the  refinement  of  Pope.  But  his  language  is  that  of 
the  present  day,  skilfully  applied  to  the  uses  of  the 
second  person  singular,  and  to  the  atmosphere  required 
in  an  epic.  The  simplicity  of  the  style  is  that  of  the 


PAGES      CAIUS  GRACCHUS      INTRODUCTION 

Greek  masters.  There  is  a  gentle  transition  from  mere 
melody  to  what  I  might  call  orchestral  effect,  as  the 
action  requires  it,  and  the  reader  is  carried  along  in 
pleasurable  sympathy.  After  the  reader's  attention  has 
become  engaged  by  the  first  few  pages,  it  can  not 
slacken.  The  story  itself  lives.  The  action  intensifies.  The 
blank  verse  deters  us  not  at  all.  It  merely  makes  the 
reading  more  succulent.  And,  curiously  enough,  we 
hunt  for  the  long  speeches,  instead  of  skipping  them. 

I  shall  not  attempt  any  analysis  of  the  prosody  of 
this  work.  There  are  various  college  professors  who 
claim  to  have  reduced  the  theory  and  practice  of 
poetry-writing  to  a  series  of  formulae.  Perhaps  this 
can  be  done,  but  I  can  not  see  it.  But  I  do  see  this: 
that  in  the  present  instance,  the  poet  has  written  verse 
that  any  one  can  read  without  hiring  an  interpreter. 
It  is  the  kind  of  verse  that  delights  the  eye,  and  is 
pleasant  to  the  ear. 

The  conception  of  the  Furies,  in  Act  V,  must  inevi 
tably  elicit  comparison  with  the  Eumenides  of  ^Eschylus. 
I  think  that  Odin  Gregory  has  succeeded  in  visualizing 
for  us  these  daughters  of  the  Night  as  no  one  has  done 
before.  In  ^Eschylus,  the  personalities  of  the  Three 
Furies  are  lost  in  the  chorus  of  the  whole.  Here,  we 
have  the  three  spirits  individualized,  each  functioning 
in  her  respective  activities  with  a  convincing  vividness. 

In  its  present  shape,  the  tragedy  is,  of  course,  too 
long  for  stage  presentation.  But  it  is  so  written  that 
its  preparation  for  the  theater  is  merely  a  matter  of 
mechanical  excision.  I  lay  no  claim  to  the  gift  of 
prophesy,  but  I  venture  the  opinion  that  if  properly 
presented,  it  will  draw  English-speaking  audiences  as 
no  serious  play  of  recent  years  has  drawn  them. 

Odin  Gregory  has  never, before  courted  publicity 
for  his  verse.  He  says  he  has  been  writing  for  his  own 
joy.  I  have  had  the  privilege  of  reading  some  of  his 
unpublished  material.  It  ranges  from  madrigals  to  medi 
tations,  from  sonnets  to  serenades.  Those  who  love 
graceful  word-painting  may  look  forward  to  exquisite 
pleasure  when  those  writings  are  released  to  the  printer. 


INTRODUCTION      CAIUS  GRACCHUS      PAGE  9 

My  final  word  is  that  an  important,  and  a  virile  figure 
has  appeared  in  English  letters.  His  work  is  Art,  because 
it  is  Truth.  It  is  one  of  the  really  notable  contribu 
tions  to  the  English  literature  of  the  last  three  cen 
turies.  With  this  first  Tragedy  as  an  earnest,  we  may 
look  forward  to  great  things  from  him  in  the  future,  if 
the  inspiration  of  his  pen  does  not  fail.  But  if  he  never 
writes  another  line,  he  should  live  in  English  poetry  by 
virtue  of  the  intrinsic  value  of  his  "  Caius  Gracchus." 

THEODORE  DREISER. 

Los  Angeles,  Calif. 


Preface 


IIBERIUS  GRACCHUS  and  Caius 
Gracchus  were  the  sons  of  Tiberius 
Sempronius  Gracchus,  twice  Consul 
of  Rome.  Their  mother,  Cornelia,  was 
the  daughter  of  the  great  Scipio,  con 
queror  of  Carthage.  The  elder  brother 
devoted  himself  to  the  interests  of  the 
common  people — the  plebs — and  when  about  to  be 
elected  Tribune  for  a  second  term,  was  foully  murdered 
by  a  mob  of  Senators — patricians. 

The  younger  brother,  Caius,  served  with  honor 
in  various  foreign  missions.  He  early  commended  him 
self  to  the  love  of  the  people  by  his  actions  as  quaestor 
in  Sardinia.  His  honesty,  his  idealism,  and  his  energetic 
work  in  behalf  of  the  commons,  aroused  the  hostility 
of  the  men  of  the  "  upper  class,"  who  did  everything 
in  their  power  to  prove  him  dishonest,  corrupt,  etc. 
He  was  twice  elected  Tribune,  and  distinguished  himself 
by  building  magnificent  roads,  and  other  necessary 
public  works,  throughout  Roman  Italy.  He  fathered 
legislation  that  called  for  the  return  to  the  State,  by 
the  very  wealthy,  of  common  lands,  which  the  latter 
had  illegally  appropriated,  and  for  its  distribution  to 
the  landless;  for  the  regulation  of  the  price  of  corn; 
for  the  raising  of  the  minimum  military  age  to  seven 
teen;  for  the  furnishing  of  clothing  to  soldiers  at  public 
expense;  for  the  enlargement  of  the  jury  list,  so  as  to 
include  therein  certain  of  the  middle  class  citizens, 
and  for  the  founding  of  foreign  colonies.  All  these 
activities  infuriated  the  patricians,  as  tending  to  impair 


PAGE  12         CAIUS    GRACCHUS          PREFACE 

their  powers,  their  special  privileges,  and  their  incomes. 

To  lessen  the  intense  affection  of  the  common  people 
for  Caius,  his  enemies  arranged  with  one  Drusus  to 
play  the  role  of  pretended  champion  of  the  poor.  Drusus 
was  a  man  of  high  lineage.  He  had  himself  elected  a 
Tribune,  and  undermined  Gracchus  by  sponsoring  the 
most  fantastic  laws  in  favor  of  the  populace,  always 
assuring  the  latter  that  he  was  doing  this  at  the  behest 
of  the  Senate. 

The  time  having  come  for  Gracchus  to  seek  election 
for  a  third  term  as  Tribune,  a  combination  was  formed 
against  him,  and,  through  the  treachery  of  Drusus, 
he  was  fraudulently  declared  defeated.  This  deprived 
him  of  the  cloak  of  sacrosanctity,  that  protected  Trib 
unes  while  in  office. 

As  soon  as  they  rid  themselves  of  Gracchus  as  a 
Tribune,  the  patricians  commenced  to  cancel  the 
laws  he  had  caused  to  be  enacted.  Issue  was  finally 
joined  between  the  Gracchan  partisans  and  their  oppo 
nents  on  two  measures.  One  had  to  do  with  the  founding 
of  a  Roman  colony  on  the  site  of  what  had  once  been 
Carthage;  the  other  concerned  the  admission  to  the 
voting  privilege  of  the  Italian  allies  of  Rome.  Gracchus 
had  sponsored  both  these  propositions. 

The  patricians  had  recourse  to  legalistic  trickery. 
They  cleared  Rome  of  many  Italians  who  were  entitled 
to  vote — and  who  were  adherents  of  Gracchus — by 
arbitrarily  ordering  out  of  the  city  all  citizens  thereof 
who  had  not  been  born  within  its  boundaries.  Then 
they  called  a  public  assembly  to  pass  on  the  proposal 
to  cancel  the  "  Rubrian  Law,"  which  had  authorized 
the  location  of  a  new  city  on  the  Carthaginian  site, 
under  the  name  "  Junonia."  The  pious  patricians 
claimed  that  the  augurs  had  declared  the  venture 
inauspicious.  The  fact  was,  that  the  founding  of  new 
colonies  tended  to  create  independent  husbandmen, 
and  to  decrease  the  numbers  of  those  destitute  citizens 
on  whose  grossly  underpaid  labor,  and  tribute  of  ex 
tortionate  prices  for  food,  the  ruling  class  depended 
for  its  enormous  gains. 


PREFACE         CAIUS    GRACCHUS          PAGE  13 

Despite  the  fact  that  Gracchus  was  now  a  private 
citizen,  it  was  not  at  all  certain  that  the  patricians 
would  prevail.  The  killing,  in  the  Forum,  of  Antyllius, 
a  lictor,  while  he  was  carrying  the  entrails  of  the  sacri 
fice,  gave  the  patricians  and  Senators  a  pretext  for 
raising  the  cry  of  "  sacrilege."  They  did  so,  and  called 
on  all  good  Romans  to  rally  around  the  government, 
for  the  safety  of  the  Republic,  and  in  protection  of 
Religion. 

They  had  already  excited  the  stodgy  populace  to  a 
condition  of  apprehensive  receptivity,  by  virtuously 
advertising  danger  to  the  country  from  the  "  aliens.  " 
An  outcry  against  "  foreign  devils  "  was  as  efficacious 
in  arousing  the  fury  of  the  stupid  low  and  middle  class 
Romans  in  B.  C.  121,  as  it  was  many  centuries  later  in 
stirring  the  hatred  of  the  brutishly  dull  coolies  of  China, 
— and  of  their  intellectual  mates  elsewhere.  The  patri 
cians  and  the  politicians  had  skilfully  played  on  the 
passions  of  the  brainless  by  flinging  the  charges  of 
treason  and  sedition  against  all  those  who  sought  to  put 
an  end  to  their  private  and  public  plundering.  The 
fatuous,  degenerate  descendants  of  a  once  sturdy  yeo 
man  race,  who  had  become  capable  of  only  a  limited 
set  of  emotions,  responded  as  was  expected  of  them. 
They  proudly,  and  joyously,  and  clamourously  com 
mitted  political  and  social  suicide.  They  deserted 
Gracchus.  The  Republic  was  declared  in  danger. 
"  Patriotic "  citizens  took  control.  Full  power  was 
vested  in  the  Consul — Opimius — and  the  clever  ruling 
class  had  its  way  with  Gracchus,  and  with  all  those 
who  had  championed  the  cause  of  the  common  people. 
The  soldiery,  of  course,  obeyed  orders,  and  butchered 
as  directed. 

In  later  years,  the  Romans  came  to  realize,  in  part, 
the  vileness  of  which  they  had  been  guilty.  They  hon 
ored  the  martyred  brothers  with  statues,  and  with  what 
amounted  to  deification.  Their  mother  lived  on  for 
many  years,  honored  by  the  people  as  the  "  Mother  of 
the  Gracchi." 


PAGE  14          CAIUS    GRACCHUS         PREFACE 

[HE  admirable  character  of  Caius  Gracchus 
may  be  summarized  by  saying  that  his  was 
essentially  a  constructive  mind.  He  was 
not  one  of  those  whose  affection  for  a 
country  is  measured  by  what  they  can  get  out  of  it 
for  themselves.  He  truly  loved  Rome,  and  gave  to 
it  the  best  there  was  in  him,  asking  nothing  in  return 
but  opportunity  for  greater  service.  He  was  not  influ 
enced  by  the  theories  of  violence  that  so  often  carry 
away  those  whose  sober  sense  of  social  values  is  over 
come  by  waves  of  passionate  rebellion  against  imme 
diate  wrong  suffered,  and  oppression  endured.  He 
sturdily  maintained  that  in  a  State  in  which  the 
citizens  can  actually  control  the  making  of  laws  by 
exercising  their  rights  of  suffrage,  effective  social 
progress  should  be  sought  through  legal  media,  and 
by  the  enforcement  of  Law  against  all  alike. 

Gracchus  clearly  saw  the  danger  of  class  warfare, 
and  sought  to  save  his  country  from  its  baneful  effects, 
by  curbing  the  powers  and  prerogatives  of  the  patric 
ians,  while  enlarging  the  rights  of  the  middle  class, 
and  of  the  plebeians.  It  may  be  taken  for  granted 
that  he  knew,  as  all  thinking  men  have  known,  that 
the  government  of  any  people,  in  the  last  analysis, 
reflects  the  morals  of  the  people  themselves,  and  that 
the  cure  for  immoral  government  lies  not  in  pulling 
down  all  governments,  but  in  raising  the  intellectual 
standards,  the  ideals,  and  the  requirements  of  those 
who  are  governed.  He  was  no  stranger  to  the  eternal 
truth  that  the  remedy  for  social  injustice  lies  not  in 
destruction,  but  in  limitation,  and  that  those  who 
would  limit  others  must  first  be  willing  themselves 
to  be  limited. 

To  make  possible  the  realization  of  his  ideals  by 
legislation,  Caius  Gracchus  strove  to  extend  the  voting 
right  to  all  those  who  acknowledged  the  sovereignty  of 
Rome.  His  opponents,  the  patricians,  were  the  anar 
chists  of  the  period.  Theirs  was  the  most  dangerous 
species  of  anarchy:  that  bred  of  the  arrogance  of 
conscious  power.  They  had  no  respect  for  the  lives, 


PREFACE         CAIUS    GRACCHUS         PAGE  15 

the  rights,  or  the  properties  of  any  other  than  them 
selves.  Under  cover  of  the  shibboleth  "  law  and  order," 
they  had  recourse  to  the  most  atrocious  crimes  to  attain 
their  ends,  and  to  maintain  their  mastery.  Constantly 
inveighing  against  the  horrors  of  mob  rule,  they  incited 
or  practised  it — when  they  found  it  to  their  advantage 
to  do  so.  According  to  them,  mob  violence,  when 
resorted  to  by  them,  or  in  their  interest,  was  sanctified 
and  proper,  while  like  force  invoked  by  the  commons, 
on  their  own  behalf,  was  unholy  and  improper.  What 
they  could  not  obtain  by  craft,  or  by  force,  they  gained 
by  the  shameless  misuse  of  the  judicial  process,  as  well 
as  of  all  the  other  instrumentalities  of  government. 
They  drove  Gracchus  to  his  death,  to  prevent  the 
extension  of  the  voting  right  to  the  Italian  peoples. 
To  him  who  examines  Rome's  internal  history  dis 
passionately,  it  soon  becomes  evident  that  the  elim 
ination  of  the  two  brothers — Tiberius  and  Caius — 
by  the  smug,  viciously  lawless  ruling  element  of  the 
Roman  population,  marked  the  beginning  of  the 
moral  and  national  degeneration  of  Rome  that  grew 
apace  as  Rome  expanded  imperially,  and  that  finally 
led  to  the  complete  extinction  of  the  Romans  as  a  nation 
and  as  a  people. 

June,  1920.  ODIN  GREGORY. 


Dramatis  Personae 


CAITJS  GRACCHUS 

M.  FULVIUS  FLACCTJS,  a  partisan  of  Gracchus 

LIVIUS  DRUSUS,  a  Tribune 

CAIUSFANNIUS,  Consul,      B.  C.  122 

RUTILIUS,   son  of  Caius    Fannius 

Lucius  OPIMIUS,  Consul,      B.  C.  121 

QUINTUS  ANTYLLIUS,  spy  in  employ  of  Fannius 

CALPIO,  slave  to  Fannius 

PHILOCRATES,    guard  to     Gracchus 

PORTINUS,  a  freedman,  in  house  of  Gracchus 

SEPTIMULEIUS,  a  patrician 

PONTIFEX  MAXIMUS 

A  PLEBEIAN 

A  CITIZEN 

A  SOLDIER 

SPIRIT  OF  TIBERIUS  GRACCHUS 

LICINIA,  wife  of  Gracchus 

LYDIA,  a  courtesan 

HELIA,  daughter  of  ANTYLLIUS 

OLD  WOMAN 

TISIPHONE,  the  blood-avenger 

MEGAERA,  the  denier 

ALECTA,  the  unceasing 

Priests,  Magistrates,  Senators,  Lictors,  Soldiers, 

Citizens,  Bacchantes,  etc. 


ACT  I. 

Atrium,  house  of  Caius  Gracchus,  near  the  Forum. 

ACT  II. 

Palace  of  Caius  Fannius,  on  the  Palatine  Hill. 

ACT  III. 

The  Forum. 

ACT  IV. 

Triclinium  in  Palace  of  Caius  Fannius. 

ACTV. 

Scene  1 — Grove  of  the  Furies. 
Scene  2 — Road  to  Rome. 


ACT  I. 

Atrium,  House  of  Caius  Gracchus 

[At  curtain,  shout  from  without :  "Hail, 
Caius  Gracchus!  "] 

Phil: 

There  sounds  the  heart  of  Rome! 
Antyll.: 

Tah!    Heart  of  chaff! 
If  they  had  voted  as  they  shout — 
Phil: 

Small  use  to  vote, 
When  Money  does  the  counting. 
Antyll. : 

True  :  gold  is  gold — 
Phil: 

Aye,  and  the  mob  's  a  fool.  If  I — 
Antyll. : 

If  thou— 
Phil.: 

If  I  had  tongue,  or  art,  to  move  that  mass, 
I  'd  cry:  "  Away,  to  the  accursed  hill, 
And  wring  out  from  Capitoline  by  brawn 
What  hath  been  filched  from  you  by  brain!  " 
Antyll.: 

Wouldst  have — 
Phil.: 

The  stolen  public  lands,  fair  price  for  food, 
Our  chosen  Tribune,  all  our  rights  as  men — 
Antyll.: 

So  speaks  lord  Fulvius. 
Phil.: 

But  Gracchus  holds 
We  move  by  law. 


PAGEIS         CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT! 

Antyll.: 

And  thou — 
Phil: 

I  serve  our  chief. 

[Enter  PORTINUS] 

Port.: 

Antyllius ! 
Antyll.: 

Portinus! 
Port.: 

I  have  brought 

A  message  from  thy  daughter. 
Antyll.: 

Nothing  's  ill? 
Port.: 

She  cowers  in  gripping  fear. 
Antyll.: 

Of  what? 
Port.: 

A  damned 

Patrician  youth,  who'th  stationed  slaves  about, 
To  wait  her  coming  out. 
Antyll.: 

His  name? 
Port.: 

I  begged  it. 

She  denied  me  the  hateful  name,  saying 
He  's  so  exalted,  she  feared  some  vengeful 

stroke, 
Born  of  mine  anger,  might  back-lash  me  with 

death. 
She  urges  cautious  silence,  and  prays   thee 

home 
This  even. 
Antyll.: 

And  didst  thou  leave  her  thus:  alone? 
Port.: 

I  left  two  guards  within,  my  friends,  and  gave 
Alarm  among  the  neighbors.  I  had  staid, 
But  I  was  bound  to  hasten  for  our  lord. 


ACT!  CAIUS    GRACCHUS         PAGE  19 

AntylL: 

I  thank  thee  for  thy  service. 

Port.: 

I  was  thanked 

By  her  request  for  service.  I  wait  thy  call. 
[Exit  PORTINUS  to  interior] 

AntylL: 

My  Helia!  My  girl!  My  little  girl! 

So  soon  in  danger!  Curse  of  impotence! 

What  can  a  mere  plebeian  soldier  do? 

Phil: 

Patrician  men!  The  plunderers  who  rule  our 

land! 

How  long  will  Romans  bend  the  neck,  and  bear 
The  burden  of  their  insolence,  their  blows, 
Their  robbery,  their  rape,  their  cunning — all 
The  horror  of  their  lawless  use  of  law? 
Ah — if  tomorrow  we  but  win  the  day — 

AntylL: 

What  then? 

Phil: 

Then  is  thy  daughter  safe. 

AntylL: 

How  so? 

Phil.: 

The  law  will  rule  alike  for  all  in  Rome, 
And  every  man  will  be  its  chosen  ward. 

AntylL: 

Our  master  hath  some  project? 

Phil.: 

Nay,    not   he; 

'T  is  Fulvius'   plan.   If  by  tomorrow's  vote 
'T  is  shown  our  master  hath  the  people's  trust, 
Lord  Fulvius  will  call  them  to  arise, 
And  name  our  lord  protector;  they  '11  enact 

decrees 

To  limit  private  fortunes,  and  to  force 
Quick  restitution  of  the  stolen  lands. 

AntylL: 

So  Gracchus  will  be  Consul? 


^O         CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  I 

Phil: 

That,  and  more: 

For  he  '11  be  clothed  with  power  to  give  all  laws 
Fangs,  claws,  and  sinews. 
Antyll.: 

Pray  it  may  be  so! 

Then  many  Roman  fathers  of  our  class 
Will  taste  tranquillity,  when  they  are  certain 
They  do  not  breed  their  daughters  but  to  be 
The  offal  of  the  golden  beds  of  lust. 
Phil.: 

Hope  for  tomorrow. 
Antyll. : 

Hope?  I  hope,  I  hope. 
Phil.: 

But  hast  no  faith? 
Antyll.: 

I  've  seen  our  failures  mount. 
Phil.: 

No  matter.  We  shall  win.  The  gods  are  just. 
This  youth — Portinus — loves  thy  little  maid? 
Antyll.: 

His  ears  are  pierced. 
Phil.: 

He  's  free. 
Antyll.: 

A  freedman.  Tah! 
Old  Roman  blood  is  not  for  erstwhile  slaves. 

Voice  of  Sept.:  [without] 

My  life,  mine  arms,  mine  all,  I  gladly  lend! 
I  follow  thee,  dear  Gracchus,  to  the  end! 

Voice  of  Gracch.:  [without] 

Septimuleius  :  I  thank  thee.  Thou  art  a  friend 
Of  value. 

Voice  of  Sept.:  [without] 

And  what 's  more,  my  friend,  we  '11  win ! 
[Enter  SEPTIMULEIUS,  from  side] 


ACT!  CAIUS    GRACCHUS         PAGE  21 

Sept.; 

My  litter,  men. 
Phil: 

At  once. 

[Motions  to  ANTYLLIUS,  who  exits] 

Forgive  me,   lord, 

For  this  one  question:  doth  the  council  break? 
Sept.: 

It  breaks.  Our  chief  comes  out. 
Phil: 

I  thank  thee,  lord. 
[Enter  ANTYLLIUS] 
AntylL: 

The  litter,  lord. 

[Exit  SEPTIMULEIUS] 

Now,  there  's  the  breed  of  man 
I  like.  He  's  noble,  proud,  erect;  he  hath 
A  dignity  that  flatters  our  old  blood. 
Phil: 

Our  blood? 
AntylL: 

He  's  ancient  Roman  stock,  as  I. 
Phil: 

I  see  him  but  a  harbinger. 
AntylL : 

Of  what? 
Phil.: 

Of  victory:  although  an  old-time  friend, 
To-day  's  the  first  he  'th  joined  in  council 

here. 

He  hath  a  pointer's  smell  for  what 's  to  come. 
AntylL: 

Our  master  's  winning? 
Phil.: 

More  !  the  spoils  thereof. 

[Several  men,  engaged  in  conversation, 
enter  from  side,  and  pass  out  toward 
ostium.  Shouts  without:  "HailCaius 
Gracchus!  "  "  Down,  Fannius!  "  ] 


PAGE  22         CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT! 

Antyll.: 

How?  Fannius?  Most  strange!  What  gust  of 

happy   wind 
Blows  one  so  high  to  us? 
Phil: 

So  high,  thou  say'st? 

Who  is  too  high  to  seek  to  scrape  the  sill 
Of  Caius  Gracchus'  door? 
Antyll.: 

Have  thee  thy  way; 
But  it  were  well  we  showed  him  due  respect. 

[Enter  FANNIUS,  CALPIO] 
Hail,  lord!  Thy  pleasure? 

Fann.: 

Soldier :  I  'm  in  haste. 
The  noble  Gracchus: — is  he  within? 
Antyll.: 

My  lord — 

Our  master  comes  this  instant.  Pray,  abide — 
Fann.: 

No  more!  Go  say  that  Fannius  awaits 
In  panting  haste! 

Antyll.:  [starts  toward  wing] 

At  once — 

Phil.:  [stops  Antyllius] 

Stay !  Those  who  seek 
Our  master,  tarry  here. 
Fann.: 

I  've  said  my  will! 
Phil.: 

We  serve  but  Gracchus  here. 
Fann.: 

Thou   insolent ! 
Phil.: 

We  serve  but  Gracchus  here. 
Fann.: 

Speed  as  art  bid ! 


ACT!  CAIUS    GRACCHUS 

Phil: 

We  serve  but  Gracchus  here! 

[FANNIUS  and  CALPIO  walk  aside] 

Faun.:  [aside,  to  Calpio,  pointing  to  Philocrates] 

What  of  this  man? 
Calp.:  [aside,  to  Fannius] 

A  dolt.  We  've  not  his  price. 

Fann.:  [aside,  to  Calpio] 

Not  gold? 
Calp.:  [aside,  to  Fannius] 

Not  gold— 

Nor  other  bribes;  both  blandishments  and  coin, 
Alike,  fail  to  make  impress  on  his  ear. 

Fann.:  [aside,  to  Calpio] 
He  's  Roman? 

Calp.:  [aside,  to  Fannius] 

No :  a  tribesman. 

Fann.:  [aside,  to  Calpio] 

Savage   men 
Are  often  troubled  by  such  streaks  of  faith. 

[Points  to  ANTYLLIUS] 
The  other? 

Calp.:  [aside,  to  Fannius] 

Serves  us  well  since  Gracchus  lost 
The  Tribunate.  He  hath  a  merchant's  soul. 

Fann.:  [to  Philocrates] 

I  '11  wait  no  more! 

Calp.:  [points  to  Antyllius] 

Good  soldier,  thou — 
AntylL: 

I  hear, 
And  I  would  gladly  serve — 


PAGE24         CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  I 

Phil: 

Here  I  command: 

Here  those  who  seek  my  master  rest,  and  wait. 
Fann.: 

I  '11  have  thee  whipped !  I  '11 — 

[Enter  GRACCHUS,  FULVIUS,  followed 
by  PORTINUS] 

Fulv.: 

Ho !  Here  's  noise  of  war ! 
Thrice   welcome   sound!   What?   Fannius,  in 

arms? 
Fann.: 

Hail,  Gracchus !  Fulvius — I  greet  thee ! 
Fulv.: 

Hail! 

Thy  wrath—? 
Fann.: 

'T  is  naught. 

Fulv.:  [aside,  to  Gracchus] 

Methinks  our  guest's  red  ire 
Grows  pale  too  fast. 

Gracch.:  [to  Fannius] 

I  had  not  thought  thy  feet 
Would  find  my  threshold  grateful  to  their  beat; 
Nor  do  I  know  what  welcome  to  bestow, 
Or  if  as  friend,  or  if  as  foe — 
Fann.: 

My  words 

Are  for  thy  private  mind;  wherefore,  I  pray 
That  but  four  ears  attend  on  our  two  tongues. 

Gracch.:  [to  guards] 

Ye  three,  withdraw,  and  voice  mine  urgent 

prayer 
To  those  without  for  patience  for  a  little  while. 

[Exeunt  PHILOCRATES,  ANTYLLIUS, 
PORTINUS] 
And  now — 


ACT  I 


CAIUS    GRACCHUS 


PAGE  25 


Fann.:  [points  to  Fulvius] 

One  still  remains — 
Fulv.: 

And  do  I  vex, 

Old  comrade  of  a  fairer  morn?  Methinks, 
I  knew  a  time  when  every  man  who  stood 
At  Gracchus'  elbow  was  the  cherished  love 
Of  Fannius,  the  beggar  for  men's  votes. 
But  now,  I  vex — 


Gracch. 


Fulv.: 
Fann., 


[to  Fulvius] 

Peace ! 
[to  Fannius] 

Pannius:  as  once, 

When  thou  hadst  use  of  my  poor  art,  didst  pour 
Thy  cares,  and  fears,  and  hopes,  into  mine  ear, 
What  time  I  waved  away  the  Consul's  rods* 
To  place  them  in  thine  eager  hands;  as  then, 
So  now,  my  Fulvius  holds  all  my  faith; 
For,  see, — he  change th  not. 

Mark!  Changeth  not! 

Thy  tone  implies  a  grievance:  thy  words — 

a  blame. 

Both  are  unjust.  My  presence  here,  this  day, 
Is  witness  to  that  latent  love  which,  stirring, 
Impels  me — hard  abused  though  I  have  been 
By  thine  ungoverned  tongue, — **  to  seek,  in 

grace, 


*  On  the  day  of  the  general  election,  it  was  the  expectation  of  all  present  that  Caius 
Gracchus  would  ask  for  the  office  of  Consul,  and  it  was  conceded  that  be  could  have 
the  office  if  he  wished  it.  Instead,  he  conducted  Caius  Fannius  into  the  Campus 
Martius,  and  asked  his  friends  to  cast  their  votes  for  the  latter  for  the  higher  office, 
Gracchus  satisfying  himself  with  re-election  to  the  office  of  Tribune.  Gracchus' 
support,  of  course,  elected  Fannius,  who  almost  immediately  thereafter  showed  him 
self  in  his  true  colors,  as  a  supporter  of  the  patricians,  and  an  enemy  of  Gracchus. 

**  Gracchus  having  proposed  certain  of  his  laws,  the  population  came  from  every 
part  of  Italy  to  vote  for  them.  The  patricians  induced  the  Consul,  Fannius,  to 
command  all  persons  who  were  not  Romans  by  birth,  even  though  they  were  citizens 
having  the  right  to  vote,  to  leave  the  City  forthwith.  Gracchus  thereupon  published 
articles  of  impeachment  against  Fannius,  but  the  patricians  prevailed,  as  they  had 
the  military  power,  and  Gracchus  could  not  bring  himself  to  shed  Roman  blood. 


PAGE26         CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  I 

Thy  safety,  Gracchus, — now  a  private  man, — 
Who,  though  no  more  made  safe  by  vesti- 

ture,* 
Yet,  with   thy  factious  speech,  still  urgest  to 

war 

The  foolish,  restless  rabble  at  thy  heel-straps; 
The  while,  observant  of  thy  lawless  noise, 
Up  there,  in  council,  in  the  Senate  House, 
Rome's  greatest  plan  the  scourging  strokes, 

by  which 

Shalt  expiate  all  thine  audacious  deeds. 
Fulv.: 

Rome's  greatest,  say'st  thou?  Faugh!  I  almost 

retch ! 
Rome's  greatest?  Nay,  Rome's  vilest  is  more 

fitting! 
Who  are  those  "  greatest,"  who,  within  the 

walls 
Of  that  old  pesthouse, — hard-eyed,  smug,  and 

sleek, — 

Sit  scheming  on  the  punishment  of  him 
Who  dares  espouse  the  cause  of  the  oppressed? 
Fann.: 

Those  are  the  old  ones,  sacrilegious  man; 
Those  are  the  wise  ones,  those  of  ancient  stock; 
Those  are  ordained  divinely,  who,  in  line 
That  hath  stretched  on,  unbroken,  since  the 

days 

When  Romulus  gave  Rome  her  name  and  law, 
Have  toiled  to  make  her  mistress  of  the  world. 
Those  are  our  greatest! 
Fulv.: 

So  runs  thy  merry  song, 

Now  that  the  crooked**  chair  adorns  thy  hall. 
But  I  am  mindful  of  those  scarce-fled  hours, 


*  Gracchus'  term  of  office  as^Tribune  expired  December  10,  B.  C.,  122.  The  attack 
on  him  and  his  laws  commenced  immediately  thereafter. 

**  The  chair  of  the  magistrates — the  Curula — was  distinguished  by  its  crooked,  or 
turned,  legs. 


ACT!  CAIUS    GRACCHUS         PAGE  27 

When,  in  thy  fear  lest,  of  their  hate,  thou  lose 
That  fiercely  craved-for  bait  of  all  thy  dream 
ing, 
Most  loud  wert  thou  of  those  who  belched 

high  streams 

Of  raging  detestation  of  those  men! 
Gracch.: 

Speak  not  of  yesterday,  for  't  is  as  gone 
As  yester  hundred  years.  What  man  hath  said 
Is  nowise  earnest  of  his  speech  to  come  .... 
But    't  is    enough.    Perhaps    our    old    friend 

hastens 

To  bear  us  tidings  of  a  better  mind; 
Speak,  Fannius!  Thy  wish? 
Farm.: 

Dost  question,  man, 

As  if  hadst  aught  to  give,  that  I  come  seeking. 
I  came  here,  Caius  Gracchus,  from  regard 
Of  other  days,  and  from  a  wish  to  spare 
Thy    youthful    years    the    ending    that    was 

wrought 
To  him  who  went  before  thee,  in  the  pitted 

path 
Thou  now  pursuest  wildly.  Heed!  Heed  well 

and  heed  ! 

Lest  Caius  join  Tiberius  in  a  death 
Dealt  suddenly,  when  Power  hints  the  deed. 
Gracch.: 

Dost  dare!  Here,  'neath  this  roof,  dost  dare 

to  bandy 

My  brother's  name? 
Fulv.: 

O  infamous! 
Fann.: 

Nay,    nay: 

I  conjured  it  in  deep  concern  for  thee. 
Fulv.: 

Thou  nimble,  pliant,  lying  tongue! 
Fann.:  [threateningly] 

Take  heed! 


PAGE  28 


CAIUS    GRACCHUS 


ACT  I 


Gracch. 

Fulv.: 

Fann.: 

Gracch. 

Fann.: 


Fulv.: 
Gracch. 


Phil.: 
Gracch. 


Let 's  to  the  nub. 


The  sword  were  best. 


Perhaps — 


What  wouldst  thou  urge? 


This  very  day  yield!  Yield! 
Go  out  to  that  unpleasing  mob,  and  cry: 
"  Away!  Disperse!  Ye  common-born,  disperse! 
Rome's  masters  are  the  men  of  substance,  who 
Have  held  their  sway  these  many  centuries. 
Patricians,  only,  are  divinely  gifted 
To  shape  Rome's  various  laws!  So  get  you 

hence, 

Or  to  your  homes,  or  to  your  several  tasks, 
And  on  the  morrow,  at  th'  appointed  hour, 
When  lord  Opimius  calls  out  the  rolls, 
Do  as  he  bids  you,  for  his  mandate  comes 
Stamped  with  patrician  shrewdness,  and  is 

wisely  good!  " 

Do  thus,  and  thou  shalt  live;  but  if,  instead, 
Still  holdest  fast  to  thy  rebellious  course, 
Then  will  the  rightful  masters  strike.  I  have 
Betrayed  a  confidence  to  give  thee  warning. 
What  say'st  thou? 

Let  me  speak 

No,  not  at  all. 
This  matter  is  my  body's,  and  my  tongue's. 

[Enter  PHILOCRATES] 
What  now? 

Forgive  my  trespass  : — one  awaits 
Beyond  the  garden  gate,  who  champs — 

His  name? 


ACT!  CAIUS    GRACCHUS         PAGE  29 

Phil: 

I  '11  whisper — 
Gracch.: 

Say  it  loud. 
Phil: 

It  is,  my  lord, 
The  Tribune  Drusus. 
Fulv.: 

Drusus ! 
Gracch.: 

He! 
Faun.:  [aside] 

Tis  time. 
Phil.: 

No  less,  who,  heels  a-wing,  asserts  he  hath 
A  matter  of  importance  for  thine  ear. 

Fulv.: 

Be  absent  to  him,  Caius!  There's  no  good 
Within  that  foxlike  head  for  thee,  or  thine. 

Gracch.: 

Thy  counsel 's  taken  of  thy  fears,  dear  friend. 
Nor  pleasure,  nor  mine  ease,  incline  in  me 
To  hold  or  commerce,  or  debate,  with  that 
Mean  jackal  of  the  Senate.  Yet  our  place 
Compels  an  open  ear  to  all  who  speak. 
A  stinking  breath  may  wing  a  precious  thought, 
And    from    the    basest    metals    shrines    are 

wrought. 
Bring  Drusus  hither! 

[Exit  PHILOCRATES] 

Fannius:   thou   stay  on, 
And  make  one  of  what  grows  a  tribe-meet  here. 

[Enter,  from  side,  DRUSUS,  PHILOC 
RATES,  ANTYLLIUS,  PORTINUS.  PHILOC 
RATES  motions  PORTINUS  to  ostium,  to 
which  PORTINUS  exits.  Thereafter, 
PORTINUS  is  seen  from  time  to  time, 
passing  to  and  fro  as  outer  guard] 


PAGESO         CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  I 

Gracch.: 

Hail  Drusus! 

Drusus: 

Caius  Gracchus  :  hail!  And  thou, 
Good  Fannius!  Most  strangely  met! 

Fann.: 

But  not 
Inopportunely. 

Fulv.: 

Drusus  sees  me  not. 

Drus.: 

I  scarcely  knew  thee,  for  thy  midnight  scowl. 

Fulv.: 

My  brow  betrays  the  humor  of  my  heart. 

Gracch.: 

Speak,  Drusus!  What 's  the  whip  that  drives 

thee  thus 
To  ravish,  stealthily,  my  postern  door? 

Drus.: 

Fain  had  I  hoped  to  find  thee  here  alone, 
Where  of  my  kindness  I  might  make  thee  rich. 

Gracch.: 

Thou  make  me  rich? 

Fulv.: 

Ye  patient  gods! 

Fann.:  [to  Fulvius] 

Have  done! 

Drus.: 

Know,  Gracchus,  I  'm  thy  friend. 

Fulv.: 

O  evil  news! 

Gracch.: 

Speak  freely  :  name  thy  gift,  and  state  its  price. 

Drus. : 

I  '11  speak  thee  fairly,  Gracchus.  At  thy  gates 
A  numerous  rabble  frets  the  pave,  and  waits 
The  index  of  thy  pleasure  at  the  poll 
That,  on  the  morrow,  will  decide  the  fate 
Of  those  proposals  which,  in  strict  accord 
With  all  the  best  of  Roma's  wisest  planning, 


ACT!  CAIUS    GRACCHUS         PAGE  31 

The  Consul  will  submit  to  general  vote. 

I  know  how  dear  the  edict 's  been  to  thee 

To  raise  old  Carthage  from  its  greying  dust; 

Hast  had  thy  dreams,  I  doubt  not,  and,  we  're 
told, 

'T  is  dreamers'  deeds  do  honor  to  gods'  prompt 
ings. 

Yet  have  our  Fathers  sought  the  augurs'  aid, 

Who,  guided  by  the  Fates,  advise  the  Senate 
thus: 

"  Accursed  the  land  on  which  old  Carthage 
stood; 

Cursed  are  all  those  who  on  that  land  would 

brood." 
Fulv.: 

The  augurs!  Pah!  The  augurs! 
Drus.: 

Yea, — just  those. 

The  augurs — 

[Pauses,  laughs  softly] 

They — or  of  them — 
Gracch.: 

Tell  thy  tale. 
Drus.: 

Still  more  offensive  to  all  worthy  men 
Hath  been  thy  measure  granting  the  full  vote 
To  all  the  Latins  who  accept  our  rule. 
There  was  a  folly!  Cogitate!  The  sacred  vote 
To  that  mere  buzzard's  meat,  which  fights 

for  us! 
Gracch.: 

They  're  our  allies! 
Drus.: 

Our  battling  brutes. 
Opim.: 

Ha— ha! 

They  '11  grant  the  vote  to  women  next,  or  apes! 
Fulv.: 

This  passeth  patience! 


PAGE32         CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  I 

Gracch.:  [to  Fulvius] 

Stay! 
[to  Drusus} 

Come,  Drusus — end! 
Drus.: 

But  greatest  of  thy  follies  is  thy  scheme 
To  take  from  noble  families  the  lands 
They  've  held  for  many  generations  back. 
Gracch.: 

The  lands  they  stole! 
Drus.: 

The  lands  they  have.  That 's  all. 
And  having  them,  time  hath  confirmed  their 

right. 

Such  is  the  law  of  wealth,  however  gotten. 
Gracch.: 

I  '11  make  that  law  a  dust! 
Drus. : 

Nor  thou,  nor  any  man, 
Nor   now,   nor   any   time,   nor  by   whatever 

means. 
Fulv.: 

I  have  the  means.  'T  is  here. 
[Points  to  his  arm] 
Drus.:  [to  Fulvius] 

I  know  thy  ways. 
[turns  to  Gracchus] 

So,  on  the  morn,  our  Fathers  urge  the  tribes 
To   void    thy    laws,    and    Rubrius' ,    alike. 
Wherefore  I  come  here,  Gracchus,  to  beseech 
That,  moved  by  prudence — 
Fulv.: 

Prudence!  The  false  name 
Of  cowardice ! 
Drus.: 

— thou  join  with  those  wise  men, 
Of  solid  substance  and  fixed  resolution, 
Who  stand  behind  the  Senate's  wholesome  rule. 
Believe:    I    urge    this,    Gracchus,    from    my 
longing 


ACT!  CAIUS    GRACCHUS         PAGE  33 

To  serve  thee  truly,  who  myself  have  served 
The  meanest-stationed  of  the  vulgar  herd. 
Fulv.: 

Shout  high  thy   service,   Drusus,   by   whose 

cheating  hand 

The  Tribune  Gracchus  lost  his  chosen  charge. 
Shout  high  !  Shout  high  its  worth! 
Drus.: 

Thou  speakest  ill! 
Gracch.:  [to  Fulvius] 

Let  be! 
[to  Drusus] 

Before  my  lips  unloose  the  flood  behind  them, 
There 's  one  who  must  be  heard.  Philocrates ! 
Phil.: 

My  lord? 
Gracch.: 

Tell  thy  mistress  that  I  pray  her  company. 

[PHILOCRATES  salutes;  exits] 

Fulv.:  [to  Gracchus] 

But,  Caius,  why  debate? 

[GRACCHUS  and  FULVIUS  walk  aside] 

Faun.:  [aside,  to  Drusus] 

I  saw  a  kindling  in  thine  eye,  just  now, 
That  spoke  as  doth  a  beacon  in  the  night. 
What  stirs? 

Drus.:  [aside,  to  Fannius] 

A  thought:  the  seedling  of  a  tongue- 
twist, 
That  flowers  in  the  furrows  of  my  brain. 

Fann.:  [aside,  to  Drusus] 
Its  name? 

Drus.:  [aside,  to  Fannius] 

The  augurs, — nay — the  bud  's  not 
yet  full  formed. 


PAGE34         CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  I 

Calp.:  [aside,  to  Antyllius] 
What  news? 

Antyll.:  [aside,  to  Calpio] 

There  's  naught  to  tell. 

Calp.:  [aside,  to  Antyllius] 

Thy  lagging  tongue 
Mismates  thine  eager  palm.  I  say : — what  news? 

Antyll. :  [aside,  to  Calpio] 

A  proper   soldier   makes  a  faulty  spy. 
Mine  eyes,  of  their  own  wisdom,  fail  to  know 
Or  where,  or  how  to  look,  or  what  to  see. 

Calp.:  [aside,  to  Antyllius] 

Arm  they  within  here  ? 

Antyll.:  [aside,  to  Calpio] 

But  as  children  arm, 
Who  cushion  every  blade,  lest  it  do  hurt. 
Our  lord  is  loath  to  shed  the  Roman  blood. 

Calp.:  [aside  toAntyllius] 
What  else? 

Antyll.:  [aside,  to  Calpio] 

There  's  naught. 

Calp.:  [aside,  to  Antyllius] 

Their  schemes? 
Antyll.:  [aside,  to  Calpio] 

Their  schemes? 
Calp.:  [aside,  to  Antyllius] 

I've  said. 

Antyll.:  [aside,  to  Calpio  ] 
Their  schemes — 

Calp.:  [aside,  to  Antyllius] 

Come,  speak! 


ACT  I  CAIUS    GRACCHUS         PAGE  35 

Antyll.:  [aside,  to  Calpio] 

If  they  prevail,  why,  then, 
The  Gracchus  dictator;  lay  bounds  to  wealth; 
Deprive  the  rich  of  all  their  great  estates. 

[CALPIO  walks  away;  PORTINUS  shows 
himself  for  an  instant  from  behind 
column  of  exit  to  ostium,  evidences 
amazement,  then  disappears] 

Fulv.:  [aside,  to  Gracchus] 

I  'd   answer  with  the  sword,   not  with   soft 
speech ! 

[Enter  LICINIA,  PHILOCRATES] 
Licinia: 

My  lord  hath  bid  me? 
Gracch.: 

Dear  Licinia,  nay — 
I  but  entreated  thy  kind  favor  here. 
Lie.: 

Good  sirs: — I  welcome  you  to  this,  our  home. 
Drus.: 

The  roof-tree  gods  protect   thee,   Gracchus' 

wife. 
Fann.: 

May  Jove's  companion  be  thy  constant  guard. 

Gracch.: 

Most  gracious  and  beloved,  at  this  hour, 
Thine  husband  has  been  called  on,  by  these 

lords, 

To  come  to  a  decision  most  supreme. 
The  words  now  spoken  must  foreclose  me  quite 
Of  one  way,  or  the  other.  One  of  these 
Spells  truce  with  those  whose  might  now  stands 

assured, 

By  every  vested  power,  the  state's  dread  law; 
It  spells  soft  leisure,  and  the  sweet  enjoyment 
Of  vivid  life,  and  all  the  mortal  things 
The  body  craves,  and  fancy  finds  its  lovely 

lure. 


PAGE36         CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  I 

But  by  the  other  way,  one  quickly  comes 
To  desolation's  home,  to  lowering  skies  of  lead, 
To  bloody  toil,  to  days  and  nights  of  dread, 
To  scorning  friends,  to  pain-racked  limbs,  and 

tears 

Of  anguish  for  the  dullness  of  the  slaves 
On   whose   behalf   these   grinding   griefs   are 

borne. 
Lie. : 

My  lord :  it  is  ill  day  when  woman's  whim 
Inclines  her  husband's  will. 
Fulv.: 

Most  noble  dame,— 
I  hail  thee  wit,  and  sage! 
Fann.: 

But  judge  the  choice? 
Gracch.: 

This  is  my  proffered  choice: — or  yield,  and 

now, 

Chafe  knee  on  flooring  at  the  Senate  House. 
And  whining  "  Grace!  I  erred!  "  by  that  one 

lie, 
Earn  brotherhood  with  all  the  tawdry  liars 

there,— 

Or,  venturing  a  Gracchus,  as  of  old, 
Take  Truth  for  mistress,  and,  in  her  fair  name, 
Speed  to  the  doom  ordained  for  every  mortal 
Who  dares  proclaim  this  heavenly  bride  his 

own. 

'T  were  wrong  of  me  to  move,  in  such  a  choice, 
Until  thy  voice  hath  spoken  for  thy  mind. 
Drus.: 

Unfairly  put  I  say  !  It  makes  a  prayer 
That  reads  its  own  response. 
Fulv.: 

Thus  every  prayer. 
Lie.: 

Dear  lord : — the  night  I  came  to  thee  as  bride, 
I  brought  thee  neither  riches  for  thy  needs, 
Nor  station,  nor  such  other  vulgar  things 


ACT!  CAIUS    GRACCHUS         PAGE  37 

As  some  men  seek  of  women,  or  of  life. 
I  brought  thee  but  the  honor  of  my  soul, 
A  virgin  body,  and  a  sweet  regard 
For  that  high  spirit,  which,  from  out  the  ruck 
Of  casual  manhood,  marked  thee  what  thou 

art. 
Thus  didst  thou  take  me,  and  from  that  first 

hour, 
When,  'pressed  with  fears,  and  doubt  of  a  new 

life, 

I  yielded  to  thy  passion's  fervid  clasp, 
I  've  lived  thy   wife,   my   husband,   and,   so 

living, 
Have    wondered    I    had    thought    I     lived 

before. 

I  've  lived  thy  wife,  my  Caius,  to  enjoy 
Not  only  triumphs,  and  the  loud  acclaim 
That  flowed  to  thee  or  from  the  high,  or  lowly; 
Not  only  feasts,  not  only  songs,  or  crowns 
Of  glory  from  a  grateful  people's  hands: 
For  these,  a  myriad  concubines  thou  couldst 
Have  found,  with  ease,  dear  husband,  at  thy 

call, 

Or  lustful  Cyprians,  or  else  the  frail 
And  shallow  ladies  of  our  high-born  world, 
Who  deck  their  bodies  daily  for  the  feast, 
And  spurn  a  share  in  aught  but  life's  delights. 
Ah!  no, — I  've  lived  to  be  thy  wife  indeed, 
Who  sought  to  be  as  worthy  of  thy  trust 
As  she  Rome  honors  as  thy  mother.  Come, — 
Hast  thou  forgot  that  day,  my  husband,  when 
Thou  haltingly  madest  known  to  me  thy  wish 
That  from  the  beauty  of  our  long-time  home, 
Which  reared  its  stately  frame  on  Palatine, 
We  take  our  course  to  this  drab  precinct?  Ah, — 
Hast  thou  forgot  the  joy  with  which  I  flew, 
T'  effect  the  change  that  served  thy  need — 

or  thought — 

So  glad  that  now,  at  last,  my  day  had  come 
To  put  away  a  thing  I  dearly  cherished, 


PAGE38         CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  I 

That  thus  our  lives  and  loves  might  blend 

the  more? 
Hast  thou  forgot  that  day  when  thou  wert 

brought 

From  slaughter's  field,  a  quiver  of  raw  flesh? 
I  drove  from  out  thy  private  chamber,  then, 
Both  nurse  and  slave,  and,  during  nights  and 

days, 

While  holding  vigil  o'er  thine  anguished  bed, 
Mixed,  with  my  tears  of  sorrow  at  thy  pain, 
Joy  of  th'  unfortune  that  had  given  thee  to  me, 
Alone  to  love,  and  tend,  and  bring  to  life. 
Hast  not  forgotten,  husband: — and  the  doubt 
Thou,  now,  in  jest,  pretendest  of  my  wish, 
Hurts — pains — as  if  some  thoughtless,  cruel 

word 

Thou  hadst  to  thy  Licinia  first  addressed. 
Drus.: 

Declared,  divine  Licinia,  as  befits 

A  Roman  lady,  and  a  Roman  wife. 

Yet  is  it  well  that  lofty  thought,  at  times, 

Consult  with  prudence,  in  a  loved  cause. 

Love  is  but  life,  and  pallid  death  writes  "  end  " 

Both  to  the  warm  embrace,  and  to  the  tender 

glance. 

Respect  is  joy,  and  he  who  walks  abroad 
The  butt  of  envy,  and  the  served  of  men, 
May  well  content  his  very  inmost  soul 
To  give  some  whit  of  this,  or  that  belief, 
So  as  to  live  less  freely,  but  to  live  secure. 
Lie.: 

I  know  not  of  thine  art  of  giving  up 
To  keep.  The  part  can  never  be  the  whole ! 
Naught  touches  me  but  this:  that  in  all  things, 
My  husband  will  so  do,  that  when,  at  last, 
He  seeks  within  mine  arms,  or  on  my  breast, 
What  of  soft  solace  from  myself  may  flow, 
Mine  eyes  will  boldly  look  in  his,  and  find 
Naught  of  the  craven,  naught  of  the  coward 

there. 


ACT  I  CAIUS    GRACCHUS         PAGE  39 

Fann.: 

Unhappy  woman!  Dost  thou  urge  thy  spouse 
To  death,   or  nameless  torture,   worse  than 
death? 

Gracch. : 

Dost  dare  to  threaten?  Here? 

Fulv.: 

So,  so,  with  threats? 

Drus.: 

Nay,  he  but  argues — 

Lie.: 

Urge,  or  threat, — 'tis  one! 
I  '11  speak  you  now.  Here,  by  my  mate,  I  stand! 
Unclothe  him,  men,  of  all  his  dignities: 
Proclaim  him  felon,  or  impress  the  mark 
Of  basest  slavery  into  his  flesh! 
Still  will  my  loving  hands  weave  crowns  about 

his  head, 

Still  will  my  fervid  lips  kiss  off  the  horrid  shame ! 
The  rack?  The  fire?  But  Caius  will  not  shrink; 
And  when,  at  last,  ye  render  back  again, 
Misshaped,  or  limbless,  Caius  Gracchus'  frame, 
It  will  be  far  more  straight,  and  whole,  to  me 
Than  even  golden-haired  Apollo's  own! 
I  am  the  wife  of  Gracchus,  lord:  I  'm  not 
His  light  of  love,  or  plaything  of  his  ease! 

Gracch.: 

Licinia ! 

Fann.: 

Foolish  woman — 

Gracch.: 

Fannius ! 

My  wife  came  hither  but  to  guide  my  heart, 
And  not  to  hold  debate  with  such  as  thou. 

Fann.: 

Dost  dare! 

Gracch.: 

I  dare,  and  say! 

Drus.: 

Harsh  speech!  Harsh  speech! 


PAGE  40 


CAIUS    GRACCHUS 


ACT  I 


Gracch. 


Lie.: 
Fulv.: 

Port.: 
Gracch. 
Port.: 
Gracch. 


Ye  seek  my  answer  in  your  various  ways: 
Thou,  Drusus,  and  thyself,  my  ponderous  lord ! 
Here, — take  it  to  the  vampire  crew  that  waits 
Within  the  vaulting  hall  of  yonder  fetid  tomb ! 
I  am  my  brother's  brother, — his,  whose  voice, 
Spanning  the  mournful  water  in  its  strength, 
Calls  plaintively  each  day  to  me,  still  quick. 
I  am  my  mother's  son,  and,  through  her  blood, 
The  blood  of  Scipio  is  mine: — the  "  staff!  " 
Staff  of  the  lowly  I,  and  though,  by  guile, 
The  Senate,  and  those  others  ye  name  "  great 
est," 

Have,  haply,  robbed  me  of  my  lawful  right 
Still  to  strive  on  for  them  as  Tribune;  yet, 
I  am  not  like  the  false  Lucanean  lake, 
Which,  erstwhile  sweet,  now  to  the  parched  lip 
Yields  but  the  torture  of  a  bitter  brine. 

There  speaks  my  Caius! 

And  my  Caius,  too. 
Dear  lady, — I  do  homage  to  you  both ! 

[LICINIA   embraces    GRACCHUS;   enter 
PORTINUS] 


My  lord — 


Speak  on — 


A  message. 


Give  it  me. 


[PORTINUS  hands  roll  to  GRACCHUS, 
who  walks  aside  with  FULVIUS  and 
LICINIA.  PORTINUS  starts  to  go  out; 
hesitates,  stops  in  front  of  ANTTLLIUS, 
makes  as  if  to  speak;  ANTYLLIUS  makes 
gesture  of  impatience;  PORTINUS  starts 
to  walk  back  toward  GRACCHUS] 


ACT!  CAIUS    GRACCHUS         PAGE  41 

Gracch.: 

Aught  else?  Speak  out. 

Port.:  [hesitates] 

No,  master;  there  's  naught  else. 

[Exit  PORTINUS] 

Fann.:  [aside,  to  Drusus] 

What  cursed  spirit  arms  him  to  the  fight? 

Drus.:  [aside,  to  Fannius] 

He  thinks  in  rhetoric,  and  feeds  on  dreams, 
And  sacrifices  fact  for  that  which  seems. 

Fann.:  [aside,  to  Drusus] 
He  's  stone. 

Drus.:  [aside,  to  Fannius] 

We  '11  try  once  more. 

Fann.:  [aside,  to  Drusus] 

And  then — 
Drus.:  [aside,  to  Fannius] 

Tonight, 
I  shall  unfold  what  shapes  within  my  mind. 

Fann.:  [aside,  to  Drusus] 
The  augurs? 

Drus.:  [aside,  to  Fannius] 

Yea    ....  When  Fulvius  said 
"Pah!" 
I  felt  the  rootling  of  a  thought  bore  here, — 

[Points  to  his  head] 
and  sprout. 

AntylL:  [aside,  to  Philocrates] 

I  have  thy  leave,  at  dusk? 


PAGE42         CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  I 

Phil.:  [aside,  to  Antyllius] 

Till  sunrise.  Return 
In  time  to  guard  our  lord,  when  he  fares  forth. 

Antyll.:  [aside,  to  Philocrates] 

I  thank  thee.'Gods!  Were  I  not  poor,  nor  had 
A  daughter— 

Phil.:  [aside,  to  Antyllius] 
What- 

Antyll.:  [aside,  to  Philocrates] 

'T  is  naught, — the  soul  of  naught; 
I  was  but  dreaming.  That  was  naught  I  said. 

Phil.:  [aside,  to  Antyllius] 

Portinus  peeves  thee? 

Antyll.:  [aside,  to  Philocrates] 

Aye— that 's  it!  That 's  it! 

Gracch.:  [aside,  to  Fulvius  and  Licinia] 
My  mother  writes. 

Fulv.:  [aside,  to  Gracchus] 

All's  well? 

Gracch.:  [aside,  to  Fulvius  and  Licinia] 

She  thinks  all's  ill. 
Lie.:  [aside,  to  Gracchus] 
What 's  wrong? 

Gracch.:  [aside,  to  Fulvius  and  Licinia] 

.She  makes  complaint  that  Scipio's 
Own   daughter   hears    the    Gracchus'  nomen 

linked 

Too  oft  with  news  of  loss,  defeat,  and,  worse — 
Of  ignoble  retreat!  .... 

[Puts  away  the  roll] 


ACT!  CAIUS    GRACCHUS         PAGE  43 

Fulv.:  [aside,  to  Gracchus] 

I  tell  thee,  Caius:  we  war,  or  else — we  perish! 

Gracch.:  [aside,  to  Fulvius] 
With  reason — 

Fulv.:  [aside,  to  Gracchus] 

No — with  arms! 

Gracch.:  [aside,  to  Fulvius] 

We  're  Romans — all. 
Fulv.:  [aside,  to  Gracchus] 

We  're  hunted  prey,  who  shed  our  natural 

tusks 
And  seek  indulgence  of  the  bloody  chasers,  we! 

[Angry  shouts  are  heard] 
Gracch.: 

What 's  that? 
Phil: 

My  lord,  it  is  thy  clustered  friends, 
Who  chafe,  impatient  of  thy  tardy  stay. 
They  cry: — "  Our  Gracchus  keeps  us  waiting 

much! : 
And  fret  their  peevish  mood  with  their  own 

clamor. 
Fann.: 

Drink  in  the  essence  of  that  threatening  growl, 
And  sense  its  import  fully,  fatuous  boy! 
What  is  its  source  but  all-pervading  lack? 
Lack  of  the  softer  virtues,  which  the  mind 
May  gather  only  through  the  many  years 
When,  free  from  carping  care,  and  crushing 

want, 

Man  hath  the  leisure  for  the  gentler  prompt 
ings; 

Lack  of  the  courteous  bearing,  and  the  lack 
Of  that  concern  of  equals  which  is  quickened 
By  others'  sorrow,  and  their  pain,  or  need. 
These  are  thy  clients — the  sorry  pack  for 
which 


PAGE44         CAIUS    GRACCHI-  ACT  I 

Thou.   Caius  Gracchus,  hast  renounced  thy 

right, 
By  brain  and  blood,  to  greatness  in  our  glorious 

state, 

To  be.  instead,  the  whilom  chief  of  those 
Who.  when  art  giving,  croak  to  thee: — "  Hail, 

gracious  lord!  " 
And  when  art  spent,  will  shrilly  shriek:  "Thou 

dog!" 
Fub.: 

Dog  art  thyself ! 
Lie.: 

O  wicked  word! 
Gracch.: 

Nay,  nay, 
Refrain  from  chiding;  for  there  conies  much 

truth 

From  Fannius,  conjoined  with  all  the  gall 
That  flows  from  him.  The  Gracchi  know  too  well 
The  timber  of  the  fickle  crowd,  and  it 
*T  were  but  for  gain,  or  profit,  or  for  high 
State  station,  that  I  strove  with  those  poor 

folk— 
^  Whose   shifting   passions   take   the   place   of 

thought,  ^ 

And  of  whose  loyalness,  the  greater  portion 
Is  but  the  clamor  of  an  empty  gut — 
Then  might  I  think  as  Fannius,  and  as 
He  doth,  so,  mayhap,  even  might  I  also  do. 
Fub.: 

That,  heaven  and  earth  and  hell  would  all 

forbid ! 
Gracch.: 

But  I — I  writhe  in  anguish  and  in  pain 
Because  I  ?m  bid  by  that  which  dwells  in  me 
That  neither  have  I  chosen,  nor  can  lose. 
A  demon,   say    patricians — perhaps    'tis   so; 
A  god,  my  friends  cry — be  it  as  it  will; 
For.  good  or  evil — there's  the  urge  which  still, 
With  inward  lashing,  drives  me  on  and  on. 


ACT  I 


CAIUS    GRACCHUS 


PAGE  45 


Drus.: 


Gracch., 


Drus. 


Gracch.. 


Thou  dost  beguile  thy  brain  with  fervid  words, 
And  for  a  figment  forfeitest  thy  life. 

Life? Life? How,  then?  Is  that 

a  private  thing 

That 's  given  every  man,  at  birth,  to  keep? 
Life  is  a  loan,  and  not  a  gift.  What  use 
We  Ve  made  of  it,  we  all  must  answer,  when 
We  Ve  to  return  the  pledge  to  its  first  source; 
And  there  's  conviction  in  me  that  some  power 
Makes  jealous  inquiry  into  its  state 
WThen,  at  th'  appointed  time,  it  homes  again: 
What    hath    been    wrought  with  it?    What 

treasure  hath  been  earned? 
Was  't  but  for  passion's  glut,  or  mere  elapse, 
Or  for  one's  self,  or  common  good,  its  lease 
Was  exercised  by  him  who  held  the  grant? 
And  when  these  questions  face  my  life,  at  last, 
I  would  not  have  it  droop,  in  squalid  shame, 
For  Caius  Gracchus'  deeds  in  his  short  term. 

But  thou  art  very  young.  Hast  labored  much; 
Make  ease  thy  love;  give  up  some  time  to  play, 
And  when  thou  hast  attained  to  calmer  age, 
Come  back  again  to  public  life  with  ripened 
mind. 

What!  Are  the  years  of  life  laid  out  so  sure, 
That  man  may  treat  them  as  a  fixed  fund, 
On  which  to  draw  for  this,  or  that,  expense, 
As  inclination  may  dispose  his  spendthrift  will? 
Not  so  to  me.  I  view  each  passing  day 
As  something  pilfered  from  me,  and  I  see, 
In  every  falling  night,  the  terror  of  a  loss, 
That  naught  repairs.  Life  speeds  in  constant 

ebb. 

It  is  a  cask  of  water,  deftly  tapped: 
The  outer  view  shows  a  small  spurting  stream, 
But,  seen  on  top,  the  surface  is  serene: 


PAGE46         CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  I 

The  liquid  mass  below  seems  dark,  and  firm, 
And  gleams  assurance   of   a   long,  unmoved 

repose. 

Thus,  while  it  slowly  settles,  on  the  staves 
Wet  rounds  go  dry,  and  pass  away;  and  still, 
The  lowering  whole  bears,  on  its  lineless  face, 
No  index  of  the  lessened  bulk  below. 
But  see!  There  comes  a  swirl!  The  constant 

sucking 

First  marks  the  placid  surface.  There  's  alarm  ! 
And  now,  the  pangs  of  dissolution  grow 
More  turbulent,  and  more :  the  remnant  sways, 
And  agitates,  in  terror  of  its  fate, 
The  while  the  vacant  body  dully  moans, 
And  shivers  to  the  sobbing  of  the  flood, 
Till,  in  a  racing,  whirling,  gurgling  stream, 
That  runs  more  swiftly  as  it  strives  to  stay, 
The  dregs  rush  out  ...  'T  is  done  .  .  .  The 

cask  is  dry! 
Fann.: 

If  I  interpret  thy  mind  properly, 

It  nibbles  at  immortal  fame.  Good.  Granted. 

But  wilt  find  the  road  thereto  much  smoother 

paved, 

While  mounting  higher,  higher  in  the  state 
As  brother  of  its  masters,  than  as  now  art: 
The  creature  of  every  changing  whim  and  mood 
Of  that  breath-wafted  garbage  in  thy  gutter. 
Gracch.: 

To  live  forever  in  the  minds  of  men? 

Aye,  that 's  a  moving  wish :  to  cause  a  passing 

name 

To  sound  in  ears  of  those  as  yet  unborn, 
When  he  who  claimed  it  is  but  powdered  dust! 
Man:  that  which  stirs  in  us,  and  brings  this 

prize, 

Is  not  invoked  by  splendor  of  estate, 
Nor  by  the  laurel  won  by  strife,  or  craft; 
Yet  every  whining  beggar  hath  a  store 
Of  price  thereof  to  spend. 


ACT!  CAIUS    GRACCHUS         PAGE  47 

Drus.:  [aside,  to  Fannius] 

The  price  is  very  mean. 

Fann.:  [aside,  to  Drusus] 

He  raves!  Or  else,  to  balm  his  recent  wound, 
He  hath  recourse  to  fancies  of  future  bliss. 

Drus.: 

What  is  this  paltry  price  thou  wouldst  extol? 

Gracch.: 

It  is  the  thing  named  love — the  pitying  love — 
That  closely  holds  all  mortal  grief  and  wrong 
Within  its  tender  fold,  and  gently  smiles 
An  understandingness  and  fragrant  cheer. 
That  love,  broadcast  with  prodigal  uncount, 
Will  flow  to  its  first  source  in  after-time — 
Though  aeons  pass — when  one  with  quivering 

thought 

Yearns  for  the  love  of  him  who  one  time  loved. 
There  lies  the  secret  of  unending  life: 
Immortal  love,  alone,  avails  to  breach 
The  stubborn  wall  of  immortality! 
Bethink  thee  that  no  man  may  earn  such  love 
In  high  estate,  nor  yet  by  sheer  designing; 
And  sense  the  folly  of  thine  empty  words! 

[Shouts.  Enter  ragged  plebeian,  accom 
panied  by  old  woman] 

Antyll.:  [holding  pleb.] 

Hold,  witch's  son! 

Pleb.: 

I  am  no  witch's  son, 
But  one  of  Caius  Gracchus'  men !  Sw^eet  lord — 

Gracch.: 

Art  troubled?  Enter. 

[Pleb.  runs  in,  falls  at  GRACCHUS'  feet] 

Pleb.: 

O  thou  friend  and  hope 

Of  Rome's  most  poor  and  lowly !  Certain  ones, 
Who  saw  thy  portal  frame  lord  Fannius, 
Now  hiss  in  doubting  ears  the  tale  that  thou — 
Thou  hast  forsaken  us,  the  common  ones, 
And  made  soft  peace  with  Rome's  accursed  rich. 


PAGE48         CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  I 

Whereon — since  I  am  neater  garbed  than  most 
Of  Rome's  free  citizens,  who  wait  thy  word 

without— 

An  embassy  am  I,  to  bring  to  thee 
Their  prayer  thou  do  not  leave  us  for  the  bribe 
Lord  Fannius  holds  out  with  which  to  buy 

thee, 

But  stay  our  gracious  father,  as  of  yore. 
Gracch. : 

Shalt  stop,  and  thine  own  very  self  shalt  hear 
Mine  answer.  Now  arise.  No  Roman  should 
Bend  knee  to  other  than  a  god.  Arise! 

[Pleb.  rises] 

And  this  one  with  thee? 
Pleb.: 

She  's  a  matron,  lord, 
Sent  hither  by  the  will  of  all  the  people, 
Who  seeks  thine  aid  for  her  young  soldier  son. 
Gracch.: 

I  '11  hear  her  presently.  Rest,  mother,  rest. 
[Assisted  by  Licinia,  old  woman  sits  on  bench] 

Pleb.: 

Who  spoke  of  bribe  for  thee,  shall  rue  his 

speech ! 
Fann.: 

Dost  glibly  prate  of  bribes,  my  fiery  friend; 
Here  's  a  denarius.  Go  out  and  shout : — 
"Hail  Fannius!  Hail!  Hail!" 
Pleb.: 

That  I  will  not! 
Fann.: 

Here  's  five  denarii.  Now  wilt  thou  shout? 
Pleb.: 

Say'st  five? 
Fann.: 

Aye,  five. 
Pleb.: 

Yet — is — my — answer no ! 

Fann.: 

Here  's  ten  denarii  for  thee — thyself. 


ACT!  CAIUS    GRACCHUS         PAGE  49 

Pleb.: 

For — me — myself  ? 
Farm.: 

For  thee!  Now  wilt  thou  shout? 
Pleb.: 

Now — will — I — shout  ?  For — ten? 

[Cheers  by  populace] 
Farm.: 

Ten  silver  coins. 
Lie.: 

O  gracious  Juno,  pity  us! 

Drus.:  [aside] 

The  world 
Hangs  trembling  in  the  balance  for  ten  coins! 

Calp.:  [aside] 

Thou  noble  Roman  citizen!  To  serve 
Such  chosen  of  the  gods  was  I  enslaved! 

Pleb.: 

Ten  whole  denarii!          Why — that — would — 
buy— 

Fulv.:  [pushes  pleb.  outward] 

Run!  Tell  the  waiting  friends  that  our  good 

chief, 

Great  Caius  Gracchus,  takes  no  bribe  !  Shout 
that! 

Pleb.:  [running  out] 

Cheer  Caius  Gracchus,  for  he  hath  refused 

A  mighty  bribe,  a  very  mighty  bribe! 
Drus.: 

'T  is  for  himself  he  cheers. 
Fulv.: 

He  's  honest,  still. 
Drus.: 

But  by  another's,  not  his  own  free  will. 

[Shouts  "  Hail,  Caius  Gracchus!  "] 


PAGE50         CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  I 

[to  Fulvius] 
Take  shame!  Thou  hast  despoiled  that  scurvy 

rat 

Of  treasure  he  will  much  regret,  when  once 
The  ardor  of  the  instant  hath  worn  off. 

Gracch.:  [to  old  woman] 

Now,  mother,  speak  thy  sorrow:  let  me  hear. 
Old  Worn.: 

Lord  Gracchus !  Be  my  shield  this  tearful  day, 
And  save  my  boy — my  baby! 

[Kneels  at  GRACCHUS'  feet] 
Grace  h.: 

Who  art  thou? 
Old  Worn.: 

A  Roman  mother. 
Gracch.: 

Of  a  son? 
Old  Worn.: 

Aye,  lord, 

Who'th  served  the  city  in  three  long  campaigns, 
Was  five  times  wounded,  and  hath  naught  to 

eat. 
Gracch.: 

Who  wrongs  thee? 
Old  Worn.: 

One  who  had  much  corn,  from  whom 
My  son,  to  feed  us  both,  took  what  his  hands 
Could  carry,  of  his  store. 
Gracch.: 

And  now — 
Old  Worn.: 

Those  hands 

He  loses  in  two  days.  Gods! 
Fann.: 

For  the  theft? 

Old  Worn.:  , 

Theft?  Theft?  And  is  it  theft  to  take  to  eat    \ 
When  hunger  gnaws  within,  and  there  's  no   f 
work  to  do? 


ACT!  CAIUS    GRACCHUS         PAGE  51 

Fulv.: 

No  work? 

Old  Worn.: 

No  work  for  those  who  ask  a  wage. 
There   are   too   many   slaves   who   work   for 

nothing : 

The  slaves  our  conquering  soldiers  brought  to 
Rome!  Ha,  ha! 

Drus.:  [aside,  to  Fannius] 

There  's  humor  in  the  sibyl. 

Farm.:  [aside,  to  Drusus] 

Curse  her  plaint! 
She  makes  our  task  the  harder  in  this  house. 

[Turns  to  old  woman] 

But  did  the  youngster,  to  secure  the  needs 
Of  both  of  you,  make  offer  of  himself 
In  servitude? 

Old  Worn.: 

In  slavery?  My  son? 
A  Roman  soldier? 
Faun.: 

Aye — why  not?  You  're  poor? 
Gracch.: 

O  monstrous ! 
Lie.: 

Horrible! 
Fulv.: 

O  swelling  heart, 
Void,  void  the  blood  that  floods  thee,  or  it 

bursts ! 
Stay,    murder    that    invades    my    straining 

throat, 
And  dims  mine  eyes  with  red !  .  .  .  That 's 

what  they  seek: 
To  make  all  toilers  slaves! 


PAGE52         CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  I 

Old  Worn.: 

If  he  had  dared 
To  such  dishonor,  I  'd  have  seen  him  dead ! 

Fann.: 

Dost  see  him  worse! 

Old  Worn.: 

My  son!  For  just  a  few, 

A  paltry  few,  dried  grains  of  needed  corn! 
Drus.: 

That 's  theft.  That  is  the  law! 

Old  Worn.: 

Then  change  the  law! 
Such  laws  are  wicked!  Do  ye  hear?  They  're 

vile! 

The  law?  What  was  the  law  when  ye  called  out 
My  boy,  as  soldier,  from  my  side,  to  face 
The  tearing  shafts  of  death?  Ye  said  'twas 

needful, 

And  so  I  gave  him.  Now  he  needs,  and  I : 
And  we,  who  offered  up  our  lives  when  bidden, 
Are  not  to  take  a  little  heap  of  corn— 
We,  who  to  serve  you,  took  a  world  in  arms! 
Law !  Law !  When  one  who  's  naked  takes  some 

clothes 

From  him  who  hath  too  many — is  that  steal 
ing? 
When  one  who  's  hungry  takes  some  food  from 

him 
Whose   belly  's   crammed — is   that    a    theft  ? 

Why?  Why? 
It's  need!  Your  law — your  law  that  calls  it 

wrong, 
Needs  curing!  Change  it!  Make  it  work  both 

ways! 
Whom  ye  've  the  right  to  draft  for  death, 

have  right 
To  clraft,  in  turn,  the  things  they  need  to  live! 


ACT!  CAITJS    GRACCHUS         PAGE  53 

The  thief  is  he  who  hoards  while  others  starve! 
TKat  's  law!  Oh,  save  him!  Save  my  little  boy! 
Gracch.: 

Alas,  I  've  not  the  power,  for  I  'm  not 
A  Tribune  any  longer.  Drusus  is. 
Beg  him. 

Old  Worn.:  [kneels  to  Drusus] 

O  help  me,  Tribune! 
Drus.: 

'Tis  the  law! 

Old  Worn.: 

And  there  's  no  help? 
Fann.: 

No  help,  old  woman,  none. 
Now,  get  thee  hence. 
Gracch.: 

This  roof  is  mine,  not  thine. 
Stay,  rest  thee,  mother:  eat,  and  pray  the  gods; 
Perhaps  they  will  have  pity  on  thy  boy. 

Old  Worn.: 

The  gods?  There  are  no  gods!  There  are  but 
those 

Who  have  the  gold  to  make  all  Romans  slaves, 

And  we,  who  serve  them,  and  give  up  our  lives, 

To  make  them  fat:  so  fat,  so  fat,  so  fat! 

There  are  but  we,  who  should  have  all,  with 
not  a  thing; 

And  they,  who,  earning  not  a  thing,  have  all 
of  all! 

Ha,  ha,  the  gods!  Patricians!  Lords!  Elect! 

Hell  curse  you!   Curse  you,  bloated  blood 
suckers  ! 

Hell  curse  you !  Leeches !  Oh,  my  boy,  my  boy ! 

His  hands!  His  two  dear  hands!  My  darling 
baby's  hands! 

[Exit  old  woman] 
Gracch.: 

Make  fast  the  portals. 


PAGE54         CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  I 

Phil: 

Aye,  my  lord;  't  is  done. 
[Exit  PHILOCRATES] 
Drus.: 

Thine  eyes  have  seen.  Now  hast  thou  learned 

aught  new 

From  that  ambassador,  and  that  old  beldam 
Who  oozes  anarchy? 
Gracch.: 

Aye,  I  've  learned  much 
Of  evil  in  that  state,  wherein  one  man 
Hath  so  much  wealth,  that  with  the  paltriest 

pinch 

From  out  his  smallest  coffer,  he  can  buy 
The  very  inwards  of  still  another,  who, 
Because  he  craves  some  ease,  must  sell  his 

arm  and  faith. 
And,   also,   I  have  learned  from  that  poor 

mother 

To  whom  thou  wouldst  not  grant  the  Trib 
une's  aid. 
i  To  think  of  it!  He  took  a  few  hard  grains  of 

corn, 

!  And  pays  with  his  two  hands;  but  ye — ye  take 
•  Vast  lands,  hoards,  mounds  of  unearned  toll, 

whole  provinces, 

Cheat  out  of  taxes,  make  the  courts  your  tools, 
And  Romans  gab,  and  growl,  and  shake  their 

heads,  and  do — 
Just  nothing!  Ye  enjoy,  and  scoff,  and  thrive, 

and  thrive. 

By  Jupiter!  Is  all  this  to  endure? 
If  so,  then  heaven  's  void,  all  morals  jests, 
And  laws  are  but  the  patter  of  sheer  fools ! 
But  I  will  not  believe  it!  No!  I  '11  not! 
I  '11  not  believe  ye  '11  flourish  on  this  wise  for 
ever! 

I  '11  not  believe  the  commons  will  not  rise, 
That  they  will  not  shake  off  their  stupid  sloth, 
Their  indolent,  their  shrinking,  cowards'  sloth, 


ACT!  CAIUS    GRACCHUS         PAGE  55 

And  bring  you  to  a  stern  accounting  on  some 

day! 

I  '11  not  believe  it,  sirs!  I  '11  not!  I  '11  not! 
Farm.: 

So,  still  art — stubborn — intent  on  thy  design? 
Gracch.: 

Yea!  On  the  morrow,  in  the  Forum,  they — 
The  pompous  master-thieves — those  ancient 

ones 

Whom  callest  Roma's  greatest — they,  and  I, 
Must  lay  our  issues  for  the  whole  of  Rome  to 

judge. 

There  smugly  plead  your  hoary  rights  to  take 
Whathathnot  wrungyour  sweat;  tofeastonthat 
Which  other  hands  have  culled.  But  I,  again, 
Will  cry  the  truth  that  no  man,  or  by  birth, 
Or  by  the  play  of  craft,  should  stand  empowered 
To  claim  command  of  place,  or  others'  toil, 
Or  reverend  bow,  or  usury  on  that 
Which  hath  not  been  amassed  by  present  labor 

done. 

That  is  my  gage;  I  '11  stake  on  its  true  merit 
The  issue  of  the  people's  voice,  whatever 
The  guise  be  of  the  scheme  ye  may  employ 
To  cozen  them  into  some  offward  move 
Drawn  to  undo  my  work  for  them  of  many 
years. 

[Shouts  of  populace:  "  Gracchus!  Hail 
Gracchus! "  Sound  of  closing  door. 
Noise  of  shouting  becomes  deadened. 
Enter  PHILOCRATES;  resumes  his  sta 
tion] 
Fulv.: 

There  speaks  the  statesman  and  the  man  of 

arms! 

And  to  that  challenge  add  we  all  our  force! 
Drus.: 

The  dextrous  wits  that  plan  for  other  things 
Will  drown  thine  efforts  in  some  special  flood 
Devised  to  work  that  end.  The  surging  mob, 
Whose  throaty  bellow  sounds  so  brave  the  while, 


PAGE56         CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  I 

Will  leave  thee,  as  is  left  one  loathsomely 

Marked  leper,  when  the  masters,  in  accord, 

Bestir  their  minds  to  silence  thy  loose  tongue. 
Gracch.: 

Say'st  thou  they  '11  leave  me?  Then  is  Grac 
chus  lost; 

But  if  I  win?  Thou  fox-head, — if  I  win?  .... 

Hoc  age!  Count  your  stakes  before  ye  play !  .  . 

Hast  heard  my  words:  they  point  my  future 

deeds! 
Drus.: 

Then  here  we  part, — and  here  thy  doom  is 

sealed. 
Grace  h.: 

Aye,  here  we  part:  each  to  his  several  fate. 

Thou,  Fannius,  to  thy  trough,  and  Drusus — 
thou — 

Smooth,  trilling  cuckoo  of  the  lawless  high — 

Take  thee  the  path  of  dalliance  and  of  lie! 
Drus.: 

Enough!  This  insolence  makes  patience  vile; 

Art  forfeit  to  thy  fate,  thou  reckless  man! 
Fulv.: 

Which  runs,  at  least,  with  honor,  reckful  sir: 

A  word  thou  may'st  not  use  without  a  blush, 

E'en  though  thou  live  to  see  thy  knowing  nose 

O'erlap  thy  clever  chin. 
Drus.: 

Thou  scum! 
Fulv.: 

Thou — well — thou  thou ! 
Gracch.: 

Philocrates!  Conduct  lord  Drusus  as  he  came, 

And  then  unfold  our  inner  gate  to  these. 
[Points  to  FANNIUS  and  CALPIO] 
Drus.: 

I  fear  for  thee  most  poignantly,  my  friend. 

[Exeunt  DRUSUS  and  PHILOCRATES,  R.; 
GRACCHUS,  FULVIUS,  and  LICINIA,  L.] 


ACT!  CAIUS    GRACCHUS         PAGE  57 

Fann.:  [aside,  to  Calpio] 

That  woman  makes  my  cooling  blood  to  course 
With  ardor  and  desire  I  'd  long  thought  dead. 
Mark  well  her  safety  for  mine  arms'  delight, 
When  she  's  deprived  of  Gracchus'  shielding 
clasp. 

Calp.:  [aside,  to  Fannius] 

Thy  Calpio  will  bring  the  radiant  dame, 
Whole  and  unsullied,  to  thy  passion's  feast. 
[to  Antyllius] 

I  have  some  other  questions — 
Antyll: 

Not  here;  I  fear. 

I  furlough  tonight:  I  '11  meet  thee  for  an  hour. 
My  purse  is  flat — my  special  need  distressing. 
Calp.: 

At  my  lord's. 
Antyll.: 

An  hour.  Gold  coins? 
Calp.: 

Hast  said. 
Antyll.: 

Done. 

[Enter  PHILOCRATES;  bows  to  FANNIUS, 
who  exits  with  CALPIO,   escorted  by 
PHILOCRATES  and  ANTYLLIUS.  Shouts  : 
"  Ah— Fannius!  "  "Gracchus!   Hail 
Gracchus!  "  Enter  GRACCHUS,  LICINIA, 
FULVIUS.  GRACCHUS  and  FULVIUS  bear 
their  togas] 
Lie.: 

Stay,  Caius.  Rest  at  home;  my  love  prays: 

stay! 
Gracch.: 

Nay,  sweetest  wife:  those  fretful  ones  await, 
Whom  I  must  court  again  within  the  hour, 
Lest,  overnight,  their  fickle  memories  lose 
The  service  of  two  lustrums  of  full  years. 
Lie.: 

Then  arm  thee,  husband? 


PAGE58         CAITJS    GRACCHUS  ACT  I 

Fulv.: 

That 's  my  prayer,  too. 
Gracch.: 

The  Gracchan  sword  is  not  for  Roman  breasts. 

Lie.:  [lifts  sword  from  wall] 

If  not  for  thine  own  self — for  mine,  my  lord! 

0  do  not  challenge  Fate  with  lowered  point, 
Nor  shed  thy  buckler  when  there  's  menace  by, 
Which  thee  but  once,  but  me  will  prove  a  thou 
sand  times 

With  fatal  thrust,  whilst  art  abroad. 
Fulv.: 

Take  arms! 

Meet  feint  with  blow,  and  for  a  wound  deal 
death! 

Gracch.: 

1  fight  for   Rome,    not   Romans!   And   this 
sword  's 

A  warrior's,  not  a  warder's! 

Lie.: 

Dearest  love  : 
Think  well  of  slain  Tiberius,  and  me. 

Gracch.: 

I  pray — beseech — thou  do  not  cast  thy  tears, 
As  fuel,  on  the  raging  flames  that  now 
Consume  me.  There  's  such  warfare  in  my 

breast 

As  when  two  mighty  hosts  are  battle-locked. 
Now    grip    and    tear    my    love,  and  earth's 

desire, 

That  bend  me  to  the  languor  of  thy  bosom; 
And  now  those  mighty  legions  range  the  field 
That  cry  my  duty.  Wife!  Let  those  win  the 

day! 

Fulv.: 

Caius!  They  fight  with  club,  with  pike,  with 
secret  blade, 


ACT!  CAIUS    GRACCHUS         PAGE  59 

Whom  thou  opposes!  with  mild  argument. 
Arm  right  with  power!  So  the  gods  have  done, 
When  they  have  deigned  to   aid  in  mortal 
strife ! 

Lie.:  [lays  sword  at  side  of  fountain] 

Not  so!  Not  so!  Go  forth,  my  love,  go  forth! 
I  feel,  I  read  thy  soul,  and  know  its  goad! 
And  if  this  kiss  be  sealed  our  very  last — 
'T  is  a  caress  of  honor,  that  Jupiter  himself 
May  envy  any  mortal. 

Gracch.: 

Gracious  love — 

Fulv.:  [to  Licinia] 

Thy  mind  's  my  champion,  thy  heart 's  my 

foe; 
I  fear  your  hearts  will  bring  us  all  much  woe! 

[Shouts  by  populace:  "  Die,  Fannius!"] 

Gracch.: 

Attend! 

[Enter  PHILOCRATES,  ANTYLLIUS] 

What 's  toward  there? 

Phil: 

The  populace 
Assails  lord  Fannius ! 

Fulv.: 

Good!  Speed  his  death! 

Gracch.: 

O  wretched  men!  Have  Romans  come  so  low? 

[Strides  toward  doorway] 


PAGEGO         CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  I 

Fulv.:  [makes  motion  to  restrain  him] 

Nay,  Caius,  let  the  hungry,  snarling  wolves 
Feed  on  their  meat. 

Gracch.: 

Are  we  like  Drusus,  then, 
Or  even  Fannius — to  'venge  a  wrong, 
Whose   cure  is   in  our   wills,   with  cowards' 

blows? 
Forfend  such  guilt! 

Antyll.:  [looks  out  through  doorway] 

My  lord,  he  is  o'erwhelmed ! 
Gracch.: 

O  craven  deed!  Who  love  me,  speed  to  shield! 
Antyll.: 

My  lord,  I  go!  I  go! 

[Exit  ANTYLLIUS] 
Phil.: 

This  hot  despatch 
Hath  strangeness  in  its  quality. 

Gracch.:  [to  Philocrates] 

Wouldst  say — ? 
Phil.: 

Mine  arm  lives  with  my  heart. 

Gracch.:  [to  Fulvius] 

And  thou? 
Fulv.: 

I  must: 
Persuaded  by  thy  will,  but  not  thy  thought. 

Grace  h.: 

Then  speed! 
Fulv.: 

I  bid  my  leaden  self  to  fly, 

To  raise  the  arm  that  will  assail  us.  Hi! 

[Exeunt  GRACCHUS,  FULVIUS,  PHILOC 
RATES.  Cry:  "Hail  Gracchus!  Hail 
Fulvius!  Hail  Gracchus!"} 


ACT!  CAIUS    GRACCHUS         PAGE  61 

Gracch.:  [without] 

Friends,  stay  your  hands,  in  Rome's  proud 

name! 
Halt!  Halt! 

[Tumult  ceases.  PORTINUS  enters  stealth 
ily,  takes  GRACCHUS'  sword;  exit] 

Lie.:  [in  position  of  adoration] 

Ye  gods,  who  read  men's  hearts,  and  know 

their  souls, — 
Heed  this,  my  prayer  : — Guard  and  preserve 

my  love! 

Curtain 


ACT  II 

Chamber  in  Palace  of  Caius  Fannius 

[Before   curtain: — voice   of   one   man 
chanting : 

To  make  one  such, 

Who  hath  too  much, 

Ten  thousand  go  with  all  too  little! 

In  Vulcan's  name. 

Hold,  curb  and  tame: 

The  over-rich  men's  acres  whittle! 

Chorus,  by  many  voices: 

They  have  too  much,  and  we  too  little! 
So  let  us  whittle,  whittle,  whittle!] 


[FANNIUS  wears  several  bandages] 
Fann.: 

They  do  not  come? 
Calp.: 

My  lord,  all  Rome  moves  here, 
Excepting,  only,  those  for  whom  we  wait. 

[Distant  sound  of  men  marching;  chant 
by  many  voices : 

"  They  have  too  much,  and  we  too  little! 
So  let  us  whittle,  whittle,  whittle!  "  ] 

Fann.: 

Yelp  on,  ye  slinking  curs!  Yelp  on,  before 
The  master-brains  of  Rome  appoint  the  way 
To  whip  you  back  to  lair,  and  den,  and  kennel, 
For  ever  more  to  crouch,  with  lips  so  sealed 
By  cringing  fear,  and  terror's  livid  lash, 
That  for  a  thousand  years,  no  common  crea 
ture 


PAGE64         CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  II 

Will  dare  to  lift  his  eye  again,  to  gaze 
Directly  on  a  high-born  face!  Yelp  on, 
Ye  toilers  with  the  hand!  Soon  shall  ye  woo 
That  silence  which  ye  now  destroy,  as  boon 
Most  blessed,  and  with  shrinking,  quaking, 

freezing  hearts, 

Pray  for  the  privacy  ye  now  eschew, 
Lest  that  your  knotted  persons  may  obtrude 

themselves 

To  any  idly  wandering  patrician  gaze, 
And  thereby  earn  the  ironed  whip,  as  instant 

pay! 

[Enter  RUTILIUS] 

Rut.: 

Ave! 
Fann.: 

Here  at  last! 
Rut.: 

Yes,  father. 
Fann.: 

O— 't  is  thou. 
Rut.: 

But  I.  My  welcome  's  cold? 
Fann.: 

Yes,  .  .  .  No.  .  . 

[Distant  chant : 

"  We  'II  whittle,  whittle,  whittle!  "  ] 

But  stop! 
There  Js  that  I  should  discuss  with  thee  at 

length, 

Which,  to  allay  th'  impatience  of  a  tryst 
Delayed,  I  '11  speak  on  now. 

Calp.: 

Sir,  by  your  leave — 

Fann.:  [to  Calpio] 

I  wish  thee  here.  Thou  hast  a  festive  sense, 
That  sometimes  shames  mere  wisdom. 


ACT  II  CAIUS    GRACCHUS         PAGE  65 

Rut.: 

Hold  my  back! 

[CALPIO  stands  behind  RUTILIUS] 

Fann.: 

Good  son!  The  tripping  tongue  of  rumor  speeds 
A  brackish  tale  to  my  reluctant  ear — 

Rut.: 

Pan's  pipes!  What  now?  And  of  what  heinous 
crime — 

Fann.: 

The  crime  of  folly.  Yesternight,  't  is  said, 
With  other  youths  as  brainless  as  thyself, 
Thou  didst  display  to  all  the  eyeing  world 
Upon  the  common  highway,  such  mawkish 

state 

As  did  more  honor  to  thy  vintner's  skill, 
Than  to  the  due  regard  for  outward  show 
That  birth,  and  ancient  rule,  impose  on  thee. 

Rut.: 

'T  was  but  a  lark.  Patricians  all,  we  played — 

Fann.: 

There  lies  the  fatal  fault — that  ye  were   all 
Patricians. 

Rut.: 

But  the  maids  we  flushed — 

Fann.: 

The  maids? 

Rut.: 

Aye — that 's  the  circumstance  that  first  be 
trayed 

Our  play  to  vulgar  view.  Night  was  still  day. 
We  were  a  company  of  Roma's  best, 
And  oldest,  families.  We  were  in  haste 
To  revel  at  a  Grecian  woman's  house, 
Where  Aphrodite  holds  her  lustful  state, 
And  teaches,  by  her  adepts,  arts  of  loving 
We,  cruder  Romans,  have  not  yet  attained, 
When  at  a  crossing,  lo — a  startled  flock 
Of  common  maidens,  homeward  bound  from 
some 


PAGE66         CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  II 

Rite  of  devotion  at  the  Huntress'  shrine. 
To-ho!  The   game   drew   chase!   Who   could 

resist?  We  pointed! 

And,  these  in  laughter,  those  in  earnest,  we, 
First  but  with  words,  then  hands,  and  then 

with  curling  arms, 

Endeavored  to  induce  to  pleasant  pranks. 
But,  of  the  quarry,  some  with  real,  and  some 

with  mock  of  fear, 
Sought  flight,  and  so  filled  the  air  with  piping 

shrieks, 
That  soon  the  scum  came  pouring  from  the 

holes 
Wherein   they  'd   burrowed   for   the   settling 

dark. 

Then — valor  had  been  folly.  We  withdrew, 
In  order,  from  the  fray,  as  nobles  should. 
The  maidens  scampered  on  their  way.  We 

strolled  on  ours. 

'T  was  thus  the  passing  frolic  ended,  quite. 
At  least — 
Fann.: 

And  thou  wouldst  say — 
Rut.: 

Within  mine  arms, 

I  held,  a  little  while,  a  girl  more  fair 
Than  has  made  glad  man's  eyes  since  that 

far  day 
W7hen  Troiia's  prince  first  saw  his   Helen's 

radiance  gleam. 

But  innocent,  scarce  ripe :  her  rounded  breasts — 
Fann.: 

Forbear!  What 's  more  to  tell  of  the  event? 
Rut.: 

While  struggling  in  the  prison  of  mine  eager 

hold, 

She  cried:  "  I  know  thee,  son  of  Fannius! 
My  father  is  Antyllius — great  Gracchus'  guard ! 
Shalt  know  his  wrath  when  he  hears  of  my 

hurt!  " 


ACT  II  CAIUS    GRACCHUS         PAGE  67 

Fann.: 

Antyllius ! 
Rut.: 

The  same.  What  then? 
Fann.: 

Most  strange ! 
What   sightless   cast   of   Chance  is  this?  Or, 

is  it  some 

Untoward  throw  of  Fate's  enmeshing  strands? 
Rut.: 

Chance?  Fate?  Hail,  both!  By  Jove's  seductive 

eye! 
I  swear  I  shall  enjoy  that  maid  ere  cocks  crow 

thrice! 
Fann.: 

Dost  rave! 
Rut.: 

That  I  do  not!  My  mind  is  set. 
I  burn  with  hot  desire:  such  craving  as  never 

yet 

Hath  shriveled  mortal  flesh  with  amorous  fire. 
Fann.: 

Son — this  Antyllius  is  now  applied 

In  service  that 's  most  urgent  to  us  all. 

But  for  his  sheltering  steel,  I  were  a  corpse 

this  hour. 
Rut.: 

Antyllius — and  thou — ? 
Fann.: 

He  is  our  spy. 
Calp.: 

He  'waits  me  in  the  courtyard  now,  to  tell, 

tell,  tell! 
Rut.: 

I  '11  have  the  maid! 
Fann.: 

Antyllius  is  one 

Who  would  most  mightily  avenge  his  wrong. 
Rut.: 

I  '11  have  the  maid !  'T  is  but  a  common  man, 


PAGE68         CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  II 

In  ranks,  whom  wouldst  hold  out  to  balk  my 

will; 

I  '11  have  the  maid,  e'en  though  a  legion  full 
Of  sweaty  plebs  maintained  her  moated  keep. 
He  's  here;  he  does  not  know.  He  must  not 
leave  to  learn. 

Fann.: 

Come,  Calpio:  hast  moved  the  boy,  at  times; 
What  say'st? 

Calp.: 

The  youth  sounds  valor  with  his  words. 

Fann.: 

He  is  of  noble  stock,  and  gracious  line, 
But  of  this  madness— 

Calp.: 

Sir, — in  high-born  ones, 

The  will  to  have  flares  out  in  various  ways, 
Of  which  the  common  herd  must  pay  the  due; 
For  this  are  ye  the  lords — and  those  the  folk. 

Rut.: 

Ha,  Calpio !  Some  day  I  '11  make  thee  free ! 

Calp.: 

I  've  thrived  so  long  in  careless  state,  as  will- 
less  slave, 

I  'd  faint  beneath  th'  oppressive  freedman's 
load. 

Fann.: 

Now  end  this  Attic  salt.  The  instant  questions, 
That  press  for  quick  solution,  make  thy  will 
To  this  one  rape  an  added  load  upon 
My  groaning  back.  Bethink  thee  well,  my  son : 
Forego  this  thing. 

Rut.: 

I  '11  have  the  maid !  I  crave 
Her  body  for  my  pleasure.  It  were  vain 
To  be  a  noble  born,  and  to  possess 
Unnumbered  stores  of  wealth,  if  still  the  strong 
Insistence  of  the  flesh  were  wronged  with  iced 

denial. 
It  is  my  due!  I  '11  have  the  maid! 


AcTlI  CAIUS    GRACCHUS         PAGE  69 

Fann.: 

What  must 

Will  be;  yet  this  thou  owest  to  thyself: 
Still  to  debate  thee  both  thy  loss,  and  gain, 
In  every  act  that 's  traced  to  thine  own  hand. 

[Chant  by  many  voices: 

"  They  have  too  much,  and  we  too  little! 
So  let  us  whittle,  whittle,  whittle!  "  ] 

Dost  hear  that  demon's  song?  It  sounds  a 

threat 

More  present  than  thy  greenling  mind  absorbs. 
Mark  well  those  words! 

[Chant  by  one  voice: 

"  So  let  us  whittle,  whittle,  whittle!  "  ] 

Rut.: 

I  did  not  write  the  song. 

Fann.: 

But  thou  may'st  write  its  sequel  by  thy  frolics; 
A  sequel  that  will  fall  upon  thy  head 
With  splintering  force.  Bethink  thee  of  the  fate 
Of  Appius  Claudius.* 

Rut.: 

Art  bound  to  chide? 

Fann.: 

Not  chide — but  teach.    Give   heed   to   mine 

advice. 

Art  rich  and  noble.  Thou  art  both  because 
The  futile  mass  we  call  plebeian  dogs 
Believe   thee   better   than   themselves.   That 

thought 

It  is  the  business  of  thy  life  to  make 
Grow  ever  more  established  in  their  minds. 

Rut.: 

Thy  words  are  pleasing. 

*  Vide  story  of  Virginius. 


PAGE?O         CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  II 

Farm.: 

Attend  still  further,  son. 
Thy  life  is  but  a  sacrifice  to  effort 
For  those  of  lower  fortune,  whom  the  gods 
Have,  in  their  wisdom,  ordered  to  be  poor, 
And  servants  of  thine  hands.  So!  That's  the 

part 

Assigned  to  thee,  by  Fate,  to  play.  And  while 
Thou  dost  impersonate  that  character  with 

skill, 

The  world  of  joy,  and  pleasure,  is  all  thine, 
To  sate  the  appetite  for  what  thou  wilt; 
Take  that  which  lures  thee  most;  enjoy  the 

best 
Of  all  the  things  that  woo  thee:  murder, — 

cheat, — 

Suborn  the  magistrates, — seize  virgin  maidens 
To  grace  thine  orgies, — send  a  myriad  men 
To  bloody  war,  to  please  some  paltry  passing 

whim, 

Or  yet  to  heap  up  treasures  in  thy  chests; 
They'll   serve,    those    fools:    they'll    pay — 

they  '11  slay  their  own — 
And  hail  thee  great,  besides,  and  cheer  thy 

name, 

If  only  dost  pretend — and  do  it  well! 
Calp.: 

Give  ear!  Give  ear!  Pretend!  Pretend 's  the 

word! 
Fann.: 

Pretense  and  Cunning!  These  are  the  twin 

pillars 

That  hold  aloft  the  house  of  High  Estate. 
Play  that  which  thou  art  not,  with  studied 

noise, 

Do  that  which  is  thyself,  in  quiet  style, 
Or  such  that  none  remain  who  may  avenge, 
Or  make  a  public  talk  that  ever  can  be  heard. 
Preach  virtue,  piety,  and  loyalness, 
But  see  these  poisons  ne'er  infect  thyself. 


AcTlI  CAIUS    GRACCHUS         PAGE  71 

Acclaim  as  patriots  the  cringing  servile, 
Denounce  as  traitors  who  presume  to  free-born 

thought. 

Be  quick  with  vengeance  on  who  dare  thy  rule, 
And  lean  on  Terror  as  thy  surest  aid; 
But  if  the  plebs  essay  to  strike  in  turn, 
Hire  hostile  chiefs  to  force  thy  yoke  on  rebel 

necks, 
And,  having  mastered,  pave  the  land  with 

twisted  dead! 

Make  life  a  thing  of  profit.  Every  act 
He  who  is  destined  to  high  place  commits 
Is  first  well  planned  to  bear  the  heavy  fruit 
Of  rich  reward.  Do  naught  for  naught!  Hold 

that! 

Who  hath,  is  master;  who  hath  not,  is  slave. 
Who  wins  is  virtuous;  the  loser  's  knave. 
To  those,  the  common  ones,  allot  the  bliss 
Of  great  rewards  in  some  uncertain  future 

state; 
But  grasp   thy  profit   here — and    reach    for 

more,  and  more! 
Rut.: 

But  great  ones  sometimes  give  with  lavish 

hand? 
Fann.: 

Give  charity  for  profit,  but  make  very  sure 
Its  trickling  is  well  trumpeted  to  every  ear; 
Tag  public  benefactions  with  thy  name, 
But,  suck  out  thrice  their  cost  by  increased 

tolls. 

Keep  wary  eye  on  scribblers,*  for  there  is 
Malignant  power  in  the  fluent  pen. 
Command  its  scraping;  hold  its  adepts  as 
Thy  strumpet  heralds:  or  by  gold,  or  guile, 
Or  else  by  making  easy  to  be  grasped 


*  There  was  a  stringent  law  against  the  publishing  of  offensive  satires.  Macaulay 
says  that  while  Rome  acquired  practically  all  her  literary  style  from  other 
nations,  satire  was  her  own  highly  developed  production. 


PAGE72         CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  II 

The  laurel  to  thy  panders,  in  the  while, 
Thou  dost,  by  shouted  laughter,  or  high  scorn, 
All  paid  for  from  thy  purse,  make  come  still 
born 

The  offspring  of  the  hostile-flavored  brain. 
Rut.: 

How  still  the  empty  stomachs,  when  they  yelp? 
Fann.: 

Make  phrases.  When  most  filching,  speak  most 

fine! 

The  vulgar  all  to  lick-spittling  incline; 
Emotions  for  the  low — for  us  the  loot; 
Urge  them  to  sacrifice:  and  snatch  its  lus 
cious  fruit. 
Rut.: 

Yet,  time,  and  time,  they  force  the  shield  of 

laws? 
Fann.: 

Keep  Janus'  temple  gaping.  All  the  rights 
They  toilsomely  attain  while  reveling  in  peace, 
These  aspen-brained  cast  off  with  gladsome 

shout 

Whene'er  we  sound  a  martial  strain  without. 
Roll  up  thine  eyes,  and  shout:  "  Our  duty 

first!  " 
And  strip  them,  while  their  gusts  of  fervor 

burst! 

Declaim  sonorously  of  Honor,  Right, 
Of  Trust,  and  Faith,  and  Love's  Ennobling 
^  Light; 

Sing  Sweet  Contentment  to  the  timorous  mob, 
But,  or  in  peace  or  war:  lie,   rob,   lie,  rob! 
Rut.: 

But  there  are  others  who  will  do  the  same? 
Fann.: 

Make  common  cause  with  those  of  thine  own 

kind; 

Eternal  plotting  is  th'  eternal  base 
Of  rule  of  caste  by  caste.  But  plot  and  war 
by  stealth. 


ACT  II  CAIUS    GRACCHUS         PAGE  73 

Rut.: 

What  if  betrayed, — arraigned? 

Calp.: 

Thy  mind  's  acute. 

Fann.: 

If  ever  by  some  clear-eyed  foe  art  charged 
With  any  of  these  deeds, — in  shrieking  ire 
Call  every  god  as  witness  to  the  stark 
And  vicious  falseness  of  his  horrid  slander; 
Invoke  the  glory  of  the  Roman  name, 
And  fill  the  air  with  noble-sounding  words, 
While  in  a  minor  tone  thou  sowest  dark  hints 
Of  nameless  ills  to  come  if  art  denied  thy  ways. 
Whereon,  the  stupid  rabble  will  denounce 
These  libellous  aspersions  at  thy  call, 
And,  at  thy  bidding,  they  will  join  to  prove 
Their  splendid,  lofty  spirit,  and  to  earn 
The   graciousness   of   thy   approval,   by   dis 
patching 

The  bawling  plaintiff  from  the  Tarpeian  Rock, 
As  enemy  of  Rome.  'T  is  thus  the  slinking  cur, 
Kept  starving  by  his  master,  fawns  on  him, 
When  called  to  bark  or  bite;  in  hope,  withal, 

To  earn  a  passing  pat,  or  rancid  bone 

Such  is  the  wisdom  of  the  world,  that  hath  been 
Since  earth  was  earth, — and  will  be  for  all 
time. 

Rut.: 

Thy  counsel's  weight  allows  of  no  retort  .  .  . 

Fann.: 

Hast  learned  the  need  of  caution  in  thy  sport? 

Rut.: 

There  's  naught  I  've  learned  that  makes  me 

more  afraid; 
I  say  again:  I  '11  have  that  lovely  maid!  " 

Fann.: 

Then  dost  thou  still  impress  me  with  the  task 
To  make  her  succorless  .  .  .  Perplexing  .  .  . 
[to  Calpio] 

What  say'st? 


PAGE  74         CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  II 

Calp.: 

It  may  be  done,  perhaps,  but — 
Rut.: 

Shame  on  thee, — 

To  bring  a  "  but "  into  so  fine  a  speech! 
Sing  once  again,  without  that  jarring  screech! 
Fann.: 

Thy  humor  's  vile — 

[Enter  guard] 
Guard: 

My  lord  :  the  Consul 's  here. 
Fann.: 

Admit  him. 

[Exit  guard] 

Now  the  gods  be  praised !  Here  's  one 
Who  drives  his  scruples  where  his  needs  com 
mand; 
A  worthy  master  in  a  troubled  land! 

[Enter  OPIMIUS] 

Hail,  first  of  Romans !  Take  my  flowing  thanks 
For  calling  council  in  this  humble  place. 
Opim.: 

Thy  body's  wrongs  call  louder  than  thy  voice, 
And,  as  thy  words,  win  both  my  love  and  trust. 
Fann.: 

To  both  of  these  I  urge  Rutilius, 

My  son,  whose  presence  I  would  fain  have 

here. 
Opim.: 

Why  not?  It  shall  be  so.  The  fledgling  must 
Try  out  his  wings  some  day:  well  struck  the 
hour. 

Rut.:  [aside,  to  Calpio] 

In  this  grave  council,  all  I  have  to  say 
Is  that  I  'd  like  my  little  maid  to-day. 

Calp.:  [aside,  to  Rutilius] 

Full  often,  for  one  high-born  youth's  desire, 
Have  nations  kindled  war's  consuming  fire. 


ACT  II  CAIUS    GRACCHUS         PAGE  75 

Opim.: 

Our  Drusus  tells  me,  good  friend  Fannius, 
Your  several  missions  of  this  day  were  both 
As  vain  as  harmful? 

Fann.: 

Harmful?  How  the  harm? 

Opim.: 

In  that  the  Gracchus  hath  full  warning,  now, 
Of  our  declared  intent  to  send  him  hence, 
To  join  his  dear  Tiberius — like  friend 
Of  Rome's  unkempt — in  ghostly  revelry. 

Fann.: 

That  is  of  small  concern.  The  man  is  daft. 

Opim.: 

In  your  debate,  did  he  uncover  aught 
Of  understanding  of  the  prime  design 
Of  Drusus',  and  of  thine,  conjoint  attack 
On  every  bulwark  of  his  resolution? 

Fann.: 

He  sees  but  his  own  dreamings.  We  two  moved 
As  had  been  planned:  our   efforts   were   as 

thinning  smoke. 

I  boldly  stormed  his  porch,  the  while  our  men 
Sped  news  throughout  the  waiting  throng  that 

now 
The  Gracchus  had  made  peace  with  us,  and 

ours; 

And  Drusus,  moving  quietly,  made  shift 
To  gain  an  entrance  by  the  rear,  and  as 
By  chance,  he  merged  his  counsel  into  mine, 
To  talk  of  peace  to  Gracchus.  But  he  'd  have 
None  of  our  bait.  With  rolling  eye,  he  spewed 
Fine  speeches  about  souls,  and  duty,  and  like 
Phantasmal  fancies  of  his  flighty  mind. 

Opim.: 

There  is  the  pity.  Had  he  but  said  "  peace," 
It  had  been  simple  to  hang  up  his  fleece. 

Fann.: 

His  fleece?   I  'd   like   to  hang  his   steaming 
bowels ! 


PAGE76         CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  II 

I  'd  like — enough  of  that!  To-morrow  night 

Or  sees  us  masters  over  all,  or  else 

But  creatures  of  the  riff-raff's  will,  at  last. 

Opim.: 

The  urns? 

Fann.: 

Th'  event 's  too  precious  to  venture 
Its  outcome  on  so  light  and  poor  a  cog. 

Opim.: 

It  cheated  Gracchus. 
Fann.: 

Aye — but  they  suspect. 
Opim.: 

What  are  his  schemes? 
Fann.: 

Repeat   them,    Calpio. 
Calp.: 

A  tyrant's  throne  for  Gracchus;  limit  thrift; 
Steal  our  estates.  I  '11  learn  the  rest  anon. 
[FANNIUS  motions  to  CALPIO,  who  exits.] 

Opim.: 

So  that 's  it  ?  By  Hecate !  Our  purses  bound 
By  cordage,  as  is  bound  a  snarling  dog? 
Ourselves  deprived  of  means  to  bribe,  to  rule? 
By  all  the  darting  demons  of  deep  hell, 
I  cry  to  war!  War!  Bloody,  blasting  war! 

Fann.: 

I  breathe  to  say  thy  words.  None  others  come. 
But  let  us  wait  our  Drusus'  counsel;  he 
Hath  laid  a  stratagem  our  minds  should  weigh. 

Opim.: 

I  '11  leash  mine  anger,  till  he  comes.  And  yet, 
At  times  I  fear  this  subtle,  and  his  wit: 
What  if  ambition  should  inflame  his  comb? 
A  timely  caution  to  the  foaming  mob 


ACT  II  CAIUS    GRACCHUS         PAGE  77 

Fann.: 

He  hath  his  use,  and,  useful,  should  be  used. 
The  cattle,  driven  to  the  slaughter-pen, 
•    Soon  sense  the  horrid  blood-air  that  pollutes 
The  dreadful  region,  where,  in  former  days, 
By  myriads,  their  kind  have  twitched  and  died. 
They  roll  their  eyes,  and  snort  in  sudden  fear, 
Then  toss  their  curving  horns  in  growing  rage, 
Stamp  on  the  earth,  and  threaten,  all  at  once, 
To  sweep  across  the  plain  in  thunderous  mass, 
That  must  leave  death,  and  beaten  ruin,  in  its 

wake. 

'T  is  now  the  drover,  skilful  in  his  trade, 
Lays  by  the  goad,  abates  his  boisterous  shout, 
And  no  more  seeks  to  urge  the  doomed  ones 

onward. 
With  gentle  gesture,  and  with  softened,  cooing 

voice, 
He   brings   his   bell-cow   on,   instead,   which, 

trained 

To  prance,  with  flirting  tail,  and  merry  step, 
A-down  the  f unneled  ways,  that  bring  the  meat 
Within  the  slithering  reach  of  sharpened  knives, 
Or  of  the  heavy  hammers,  plied  by  butchers, 
Leads  on  her  followers,  with  honeyed  moos. 
The  herd,  its  fears  forgotten,  follow  her, 
As  something  loved,  and  of  one's  own — a 

friend — 
Who   knows   the   path,   and   beckons   on   to 

peace — 

And  never  knows  the  truth,  until  the  strokes 
Rain  on  the  heavy  bodies,  dealing  death — 
The  while  the  winsome  leader  passes  on, 
Unharmed,  to  play  her  destined  part  again 
With  countless  victims,  gathered  for  man's  use. 
But  if,  perchance,  that  gladsome,  grizzly  thing 
Seems  but  to  pause — or  shirk  her  treacherous 

task — 


PAGE  78         CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  II 

The  herder  slily  makes  a  sign,  and  lo, — 
The  tempter  shares  one  end  with  those  she 
tempts.* 

Opim.: 

Then,  in  the  recess  of  thine  eye,  a  beam 
Keeps  constant  play  on  Drusus? 

Fann.: 

As,  in  fence, 
The  swordsman  does,  so  I. 

Opim.: 

Then  I  'm  content. 

[Enter  CALPIO] 

Calpio: 

The  Tribune  Drusus. 
Fann.: 

Say   to   him:  we   wait. 
[Exit  CALPIO] 
Opim.: 

I  hope  he  brings  us  action,  not  mere  talk. 

[Enter  DRUSUS,  CALPIO] 
Drus.: 

My  lords — your  servant. 
Fann.: 

Nay — thy  debtors,  we. 
Opim.: 

The  Gracchus  dies;  on  that  we  have  resolved! 

'T  is  thine  to  plan  for  us  his  wan  retreat. 
Drus.: 

Who  picks  a  fruit  that  is  not  ripe  to  eat, 

But  grasps  a  colic,  and  wastes  future  meat. 
Opim.: 

Thy  riddle  is  not  plain.  Speak  out !  Speak  out ! 

They  scheme  to  filch  our  lands,  to  limit  what 

The  measure  of  our  wealth  shall  be! 

*It  is  interesting  to  note  that,  while  the  indicated  fate  did  not  overtake  the 
Drusus  of  this  generation,  it  did  come  to  pass  in  the  case  of  his  son,  of  like  name, 
some  thirty  years  later.  The  younger  Drusus  played  the  same  role  in  public  life 
that  his  father  had  found  so  profitable.  One  day  he  overacted  his  part ;  the 
patricians  became  suspicious,  and  he  was  promptly  murdered ;  apparently  in  his 
own  home. — Ant. — Liviae  leges. 


AcxII  CAIUS    GRACCHUS         PAGE  79 

Drus.: 

My  thoughts 

Revert  to  that  ill-managed  day  in  Rome 
When  certain  brave  patricians,  streaming  forth 
From  out  the  Senate  House,  by  hasty  cudgel- 
blows 

Wrote  "  Veto  "  on  the  two  times  Tribuneship 
The  first-born  Gracchus  thought  to  claim  his 

own. 
Opim.: 

The  tale  is  old. 

Drus.: 

And  one  I  do  not  like 
For  those  miscast  events  that  followed  in  its 

train. 
Rut.: 

Dost  mean  the    wondrous  sport  our  nobles 

had 

With  Billius*,  who,  couched,  for  his  ease, 
Within  a  cask  that  had  been  bedded  down 
With  vipers,  learned,  in  that  soft  company, 
The  lesson  of  a  tongue  too  swift  and  sharp? 
Or  of  the  candied  maggot-trap  that  was  pre 
pared 
For  others  of  that  Gracchus'  friends,  which 

some 
Have  named  the  Persian  boat**?  'T  would  be 

a  lark 
To  see  such  games  played  once  again  with 

those 
Who,  with  the  Gracchus,  fight  the  sacred  gods, 

and  us. 


*  After  the  assassination  of  Tiberius  Gracchus,  the  patricians  murdered  his  friend 
Caius  Billius,  by  placing  him  in  a  barrel  that  contained  deadly  snakes. 

**  The  Persian  boat : — The  body  of  the  condemned  man  was  thoroughly  smeared 
with  honey.  He  was  then  placed  in  a  boat.  Another  boat,  inverted,  enclosed  him. 
His  head  and  feet  protruded.  He  was  forcibly  fed  milk  and  honey.  His  position 
was  so  maintained  that  the  sun  always  shone  in  his  eyes.  He  was  actually  eaten 
alive  by  worms,  ants,  etc.  The  victim  generally  suffered  many  days  before  death 
came  to  his  relief. 


PAGE  80         CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  II 

Opim.: 

The  youth  hath  spirit,  and  a  sprightly  sense. 
[Strides  up  and  down  chamber] 

To  limit  wealth!  Ha,  ha!  To  take  away 
The  lands  we  Ve  held  for  generations  past! 
Drus.: 

Not  those  my  thoughts.  My  shrinking  mind 

reviewed 

The  passion  of  the  mob,  robbed  of  that  rascal; 
And  all  the  melancholy  pain  that  then 
Came  to  our  own  Nasica,  daring  man, 
Who,  raising  "  Law  and  Order  "  *  as  his  cry, 
Defied  the  faint-heart  Consul,  and  the  rest 
Of  those  then  Senators,  who  rather  chose 
To  judge  the  elder  Gracchus  by  the  statutes, 
Than  by  the  good  right  arm  patrician  men 
Are  born  to  use  against  their  foes.  'T  was  he 
Who   led  the  noble  band   that  strewed  the 

brains 

Of  that  Tiberius  upon  the  paving 
Of  the  Capitoline.  And  yet  the  splendid  deed 
Was  so  ill-planned,  that  our  Nasica  perished, 
A  fugitive, — in  exile.  Then,  there  was 
Popilius,  the  stalwart,  who  sped  to  doom 
So  vast  a  crew  of  Gracchus'  fellows:  he,  too, 

fled, 
A  wanderer  from  home.  Such  precious  price 

was  paid 
For  that  one  proper  killing,   all  too  rashly 

worked. 
Opim.: 

Hell  take  all  history!  To-day  's  what  hurts! 

*  It  being  evident  that  Tiberius  Gracchus  would  be  re-elected  Tribune,  and  that 
the  protective  laws  would  be  carried,  the  patricians  raised  the  cry  that  he  was 
aiming  to  make  himself  King.  S.  Nasica,  at  that  time  Pontifex  Maximus,  called  on 
the  Consul  to  order  Gracchus  destroyed.  The  Consul  said  that  it  was  proper  to 
wait  until  Gracchus  had  done  something  illegal,  and  then  take  action  under  the  laws. 
In  the  language  of  Plutarch  :  "  Upon  which  Nasica  started  up,  and  said  :  '  Since 
the  Consul  gives  up  his  country,  let  all  who  choose  to  support  the  laws  follow  me.'" 
Thereupon  Nasica,  and  his  followers,  covering  their  heads  with  their  cloaks  of 
office,  rushed  out  to  the  Rostra,  where  they  scattered  Tiberius'  brains  with  blows 
of  a  bludgeon,  and  murdered  about  three  hundred  of  his  friends. 


ACT  II  CAIUS    GRACCHUS         PAGE  81 

Faun.: 

The  burden  chafes.  Dost  know  full  well  there  's 

naught 

We  may  invoke  against  this  scurrilous  rogue — 
The  living  Gracchus — that  will  serve  to  win 
The  low-born  mob  from  him.  But  he  must  die! 

Must  die! 

Drus.: 

Still,  there  's  a  way — 

Opim.:  [strides  across  chamber] 

Then  show  it!  Show  it,  sir! 
Those  mangy  curs!  Those  vermin! 

Fann.: 

Thou  hast  a  thought? 

Drus.: 

The  same  as  when  I  counseled  those  loose  laws 
That  are  ascribed  to  me  on  our  tablets. 
When  Gracchus  called  for  two  new  towns,  I 

said: 

"  Deny  it  not,  but  in  the  Senate's  name, 
Thrust  down  those  hungry  gullets  laws  that  call 
For  five  times  that."  When  he,  to  draw  the 

love 

Of  that  land-lusting  multitude,  ordained 
To  grant  them  soil  at  some  small  fee,  I  coun 
tered  : 
"  No  fee  at  all!  Give  gifts!  "  And  so,  to-day 

ye  see 

About  the  Gracchus  but  a  part  of  those 
Who,  twelve  short  months  ago,  acclaimed  him 

their  sole  chief; 

Wherefore  are  we  now  ready  to  put  knife 
To  all  these  damned  laws,  and  with  one  blow 
Destroy  them, — every  one, — both  his  and  mine. 
But  still,  slow   caution  must  guard  our  every 

deed, 
Lest  from  some  rashness  we  may  come  to  need. 


PAGE82         CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  II 

Opim.: 

Come  to  the  barb!  Show  up  thy  barb!  Thy 
barb! 

Fann.: 

Thy  plots  have  won  their  gain.  Go  on;  go  on. 

Drus.: 

To  end  the  Gracchus,  we  must  first  destroy 
The  trustful  love  the  people  bear  him.  That 
May  not  be  done  by  frontal  open  storming; 
No,  no, — it  must  be  done  by  flanking  blow: 
Some  feint,  that  will  within  the  eye-wink  draw 
The  popular  regard  from  Gracchus  as  he  is, 
And  hold  its  gaze  on  that  which  is  as  foreign 
To  him,  as  is  the  mole  to  lark.  It  calls  t 

A  play  on  that  most  potent  weakness  that 's 
Implanted  in  the  commons,  and  aye  held 
For  use  by  us : — their  squashy  sentiment 
For  things  on  high, — that  always  serves  the  ends 
Of  those  who  scrape  with  skill  on  this  most 
mellow  string. 

Opim.:  [strides  up  and  down  chamber] 

They  'd  put  a  virgin's  girdle  round  us,  hey? 
I  '11  answer  with  a  circlet  'round  their  necks 
That  shall  choke  off  their  bellies,  tongues  and 

brains, 

And  make  of  plebs  gaunt  poles  of  muscled  toil ! 
[Stops,  points  at  DRUSUS] 

By  all  the  labors  of  the  patient  Hercules, — 
Thy  plan!  Thou  hast  a  plan? 

Drus.: 

Aye,  that  I  have. 

To-morrow  we  '11  debate,  not  of  the  laws, 
Nor  of  the  rich,  nor  poor,  as  Gracchus  dreams, 
But  of  quite  other  things. 
Fann.: 

There  is  naught  else. 
Drus.: 

We  '11  make  a  something  else. 


AcTlI  CAIUS    GRACCHUS         PAGE  83 

Opim.: 

Thou  wilt  invoke — 
Drus.: 

The  gods. 
Opim.: 

The  gods?  Where  drifts  thy  mind? 
Rut.:  [aside,  to  Calpio] 

More  gods! 
Drus.: 

When  I  was  but  a  youth,  my  sire  imposed 
This  rule  on  me : — to  reach,  with  dart,  the  gray 

goose 

That  makes  its  flight  across  the  dreary  moor, 
First  thou  must  learn  the  art  of  gently  stalking 

it. 

Think  not  to  catch  the  bird  by  forward  rush; — 
Nay — it  behooves  thee  well   to   learn   some 

squawk 
That  will  distract  it  from  the  native  pull  of 

caution. 
Then  may'st  approach  it,  hidden  by  some 

copse, 
And  while  it  thrills,  enchanted  by  thy  winning 

call, 

Send  in  thine  arrow!  The  game  will  fall. 
Opim.: 

Ye  gathered  gods, — thou  hast  a  pretty  tongue! 
The   fable 's   wise.   But   how 's   our   purpose 
served? 

[Strides  across  chamber] 

I  '11  make  their  hill  a  sowage  of  small  brick, 
The  home  of  hooting  owls,  of  prowling  wolves ! 
Fann.: 

And  how  the  gods? 
Drus.: 

There  are  four  hoary  frauds, ' 
Whose  battered  masks,  bedaubed  with  new 

red  dyes, 

Avail  to  smother,  in  the  vulgar  herd, 
The  will  to  strike  the  shackles  from  their  limbs. 


PAGE84         CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  II 

If  any  preach  a  new  religion,  or 
A  new  philosophy,  or  base  for  happier  life, 
Or  any  thought  that  threatens  those  who  rule, 
Shout:     "  Rape!     They  seek  to  violate  our 

homes!  " 
Or   "Woe!   They'd   murder   all   our   thrifty 

men!" 

Or  "Treason!     They    design    to    wreck    our 
)         state!  " 

Or  "Sacrilege!  They  flout  Religion,  gods!" 

)  The  saying  makes  it  so:  none  dares  dispute, 

i  Lest  gibbering  fellows  vilify  his  good  repute. 

,  And  so,  these  win.  To-day,  I  choose  the  gods, 

With  which  to  fright  those  oxen-witted  clods. 

Opim.: 

Go  on! 
Drus.: 

To-morrow  that  shall  fall,  for  which 
Our  yeasty  plebs  will  lose  all  thought  of  gold, 
And  land,  and  price  of  corn,  and  right  to  vote: 
And  think  of  Caius  Gracchus  only  as 
A  wretch  so  wicked,  that  't  will  be  a  task 
Stamped  holy,  and  most  pleasing  to  the  watch 
ful  gods, 

To  rid  the  land  of  him,  and  all  his  hateful  like. 
Opim.: 

But  Gracchus  hath  done  naught.  He  is  a  tit, 
Who  rocks  the  nation  with  his  acrid  chirp, 
But  guards  his  arm,  with  coward's  careful  craft. 
The  villain  hath  done  naught! 
Drus.: 

Nor  will  he  do. 

But,  't  will  be  done  for  him ;  and  to  his  arm 
The  deed  wrill  be  so  skillfully  applied, 
He  '11  swear  that  to  himself  his  own  two  hands 

have  lied. 
Opim.: 

Speak  to  the  project! 
Drus.: 

That  I  do,  apace. 


ACT  II  CAIUS    GRACCHUS         PAGE  85 

Rome's  ancient  custom  is,  that  in  the  hour 
When  all  have  gathered  for  the  ballots'  test, 
Thou,  noble  Consul,  shalt  make  offering 
To  heaven's  host  and  that  the  entrails,  then, 
Plucked  from  the  fresh-slain  victim,  and  well 

scanned 

By  the  haruspices,  shall  be  presented 
For  confirmation  to  the  Lord  of  Priests. 

Opim.: 

All  that  is  well.  The  belly -rippers  have  been 

told 
What  they  're  to  read,  and  when. 

Drus.: 

My  point's  not  there. 

While  on  his  way  with  this  most  sacred  charge, 
Thy  lictor  shall  be  slaughtered  by  the  blows 
Of  Caius  Gracchus'  friends — 

Fann.: 

I  almost  see  .  .  . 
Drus.: 

Of  Caius  Gracchus'  friends,  or  those  who  seem 
In  verity  to  be  of  them.  Then, — vale 
To  talk  of  land,  and  gold,  and  rich,  and  poor, 
And   laws,   and   right   and   wrong,   and    like 

real  things! 

Shriek  "Sacrilege!"  and  with  that  awful  cry, 
Make  end  of  Gracchus,  and  of  all  his  frenzied 

tribe. 
I  've  spoken. 

Fann.: 

And  hast  spoken  well. 

[to  Opimius] 

Say'stso? 

Opim.: 

It  means  the  shedding  of  a  lictor's  blood  .  .  .  . 
And  if  thine  effort  fail,  and,  in  a  while, 
By  some  mischance,  the  truth  becomes  re 
vealed? 


PAGE86         CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  II 

Drus.: 

What 's  set  in  the  confusion's  moment,  stays 
The  fixed  event:  the  common  mind  accepts 
The  impress  of  the  seal  that  ready  brains  and 

tongues 

Affix  while  all  the  passions  are  in  flux; 
And  naught  of  protest,  or  of  proof,  avails 
To  change  that  image  in  the  after-days. 

[Sound  of  men  marching  in  distance, 
chanting : 

"  80  let  us  whittle,  whittle,  whittle!  "  ] 

Farm.: 

Hear  that!  Or  commons'  blood,  or  our  own 
ease. 

The  field  allows  no  truce;  who  rules  must  kill; 

This  one  by  sword,  and  this  by  scheme,  but 
still, 

Who  would  sit  high,  must  have  a  bloody  will. 
Opim.: 

I  place  my  hand  in  thine,  and  cry  to  play! 

The  nobles,  rich,  and  gods  shall  win  the  day! 

Rut.:  [aside,  to  Calpio] 

I  've  sat  in  patience,  while  they  've  moaned 

and  brayed, 
But  have  not  heard  a  word  about  my  maid. 

Calp.:  [aside,  to  Rutilius] 

Be  cheered,  good  sir.  Within  thy  sire's  keen 

mind, 

I  feel  a  thought  is  forming,  of  some  kind, 
That  soon  will  serve  thy  pleasure,  and  his 

pressing  need. 
Behold!  He  leaps  to  ride  the  new-foaled  steed! 

Farm.: 

But  if  thou,  gracious  Consul,  wouldst  not  lose 
One  of  thy  proven  lictors,  I  '11  uncover 
Another  for  the  death,  who  shall  display 
Thy  livery,  and  Pluto's,  the  same  day. 


AcTlI  CAIUS    GRACCHUS         PAGE  87 

Opim.: 

Hast  such  a  man? 
Farm.: 

I  have:  he  takes  my  pay, 
As  spy,  in  Gracchus'  household. 
Opim.: 

That  sounds  well. 
Rut.:  [aside,  to  Calpio] 

Sweet,  wondrous  night!  I  have  my  little  maid! 

Faun.:  [to  Calpio] 

That  scurvy  spy  is  here,  my  Calpio? 
Calp.: 

My  lord, — Antyllius  is  in  the  court. 
Fann.: 

He  'th  spewked  his  mind? 
Calp.: 

His  soul.  He  's  empty,  quite. 
Fann.: 

Go,  bid  him  hither. 

[Exit  CALPIO] 
Drus.: 

Now  we  have  the  corpse, — 
Who  is  to  butcher  him? 

[Enter  CALPIO] 
Fann.: 

My  man — my  slave — 
My  Calpio,  who,  habited  alike 
With  Gracchus'  friends,  shall  give  the  fatal 

thrust. 
Calp.: 

My  lord — my  lord — 
Fann.: 

Wouldst  argue? 
Calp.: 

Nay,  but  yet — 
Fann.: 

No  harm  shall  reach  thee.  The  law,  that  sorry 

jade, 
The  Gorgon  of  the  plebs,  but  our  meek  maid, 


PAGESS         CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  II 

Shall  neither  see,  nor  know  thy  person,  so, 
Thy   crime  comes   aptly,   as   our   wills   may 

show. 
Drus.: 

Now  grasp  this  lesson  of  th'  assassin's  craft: 
Thy  victim,  dying,  may  betray  thee  yet, 
If  he  but  names  thee  with  his  rattling  breath. 
Strike  in   the   throat!   So   silence   wins   with 

death! 

[Enter  ANTYLLIUS] 

AntylL: 

My  honored  lord — 
Opim.: 

He  seems  a  likely  man. 
Fann.: 

Antyllius: — hast  served  me  faithfully; 

So,  learn  of  thy  reward,  which,  from  the  grace 

Of  our  full  pleasure  of  thy  toil,  we  give. 

Calp.:  [aside] 

Prick  up  thine  ears,  sweet  corpse,  and  earn  thy 

killing ! 
AntylL: 

1 5ve  served  thee,  master,  as  my  station  called, 
And  if  at  times  the  task  has  irked  me,  I 
Had    naught    to    do    but    tug    my  brain  to 

contemplation 
Of  thy  great  purse,  and  my  dire  need.  When 

some 

Blabbed  tales  of  a  new  state,  in  which  no  one 
Had  or  too  much  or  not  enough,  I  've  swept 

the  folly 

From  out  the  chambers  of  my  mind,  with  this 
Wise  argument: — let  others  fear  the  high; 
I  serve  them,  and  the  meed  of  my  reward 
Will  place  me,  soon,  where  I  need  never  know 
Gaunt  want  as  guest  again.     I  have  a  daugh- 

ter- 
A  budding   maid;   my    dream   hath   been  to 

garner 


AcTlI  CAIUS    GRACCHUS         PAGE  89 

A  measure  of   industrious  coin   to   earn   her 
shelter. 

Rut.:  [aside,  to  Calpio] 

Hear  that?  A  bud!  I  '11  shelter  her,— myself ! 

Fann.: 

Enough!  Enough!  Thy  tasteless  task  is  done, 
And  soon  shalt  be  a  stranger  to  all  need. 

Calp.:  [aside,  to  Rutilius] 

And  fear  of  need,  besides,  thou  faithful  man! 
Fann.: 

Now  servest  thou  no  longer  me;  instead, 

Art  lictor  to  our  gracious  Consul — to 

The  lord  Opimius. 

Antyll.: 

The  Consul's  man! 
O  bounteous  gods!    I  '11  post  me  home   at 

once, 
And  shout  the  cheer  to  my  most  anxious  girl. 

Rut.:  [half  rises,  in  agitation] 
Not- 

Calp.:  [hastily] 

Stay— 

Fann.:  [evenly] 

Thy  service  holds  thee  here  this  night. 

Antyll.:  [pleadingly] 
My  lord — 

Fann.: 

Hast  heard— 
Antyll.: 

But  there  's  a  moving  reason — 

Fann.: 

A  soldier  reasons  by  obeying. 

Antyll.: 

I  obey. 


PAGE  90         CAITJS    GRACCHUS  ACT  II 

Farm.: 

'T  is  well;  thy  news  will  be  no  less  a  joy 

When,  splendid  in  thy  marks  of  new  prefer 
ment, 

Dost  home  to-morrow.  Now,  wait,  in  yonder 
court, 

The  detail  of  thy  new  employment. 

Antyll: 

I  wait. 
The  Consul's  lictor!  Fortune's  mantle  warms! 

[Exit  ANTYLLIUS] 

Rut.:  [sinks  back,  relieved] 
Ye  gods! 

Farm.:  [to  Rutilius] 

On  what  a  wisp  man's  fate  is  borne! 
A  breath,  a  word,  an  insubstantial  thought, 
And  empires  crash,  or  peoples  disappear  .  .  .  . 

[turns  to  Calpio] 

Thou,  Calpio,  wilt  charge  him  with  his  task 
Betimes,  and  hold  him  fast? 

Calp.: 

'T  is  done,  my  lord. 

Drus.: 

There!  There  's  a  proper  pleb !  He  knows  his 

poor  man's  place. 

He  '11  die  most  happy.  Now  let 's  set  the  plan 
For  the  depletion  of  the  Gracchus'  ranks, 
That  will  relieve  us  of  those  raucous  hounds 
Who  urge  the   dull-brained   pack   to   battle : 

mouthing  curs, 

Who  agitate  the  servile  class,  and  breed 
Displeasure,  discontent,  and  struggling  effort ! 

Opim.: 

I  have  a  roll  that  bears  three  thousand  names. 


AcTlI  CAIUS    GRACCHUS         PAGE  91 

Rut.: 

That's  ten  for  one!  Three  hundred  names* 

sustain 
The  burden  of  our  Roma's  men  of  worth. 

Fann.: 

Well  spoken:  and  that  list  shall  be  announced 
Among  the  shades  before  we  call  the  halt. 

Opim.: 

Th'  assassins — 

Drus.: 

I  have  found.  A  husky  band 
Of  soldiers,  who,  for  some  huzzahs  and  pay, 
Will  show  to  our  aspiring  citizens 
The  way  to  long,  and  toilless,  peaceful  sleep. 

Opim.: 

But  if  they  arm  and  fight? 

Drus.: 

That  they  will  not. 
Opim.: 

Thy  certainty — 
Drus.: 

Is  founded  on  the  fact; 
That  half-wit  cries  the  holiness  of  statutes, 
And  prates  the  sacred  state  of  magistrates, 
Opim.: 

Our  statutes — 
Fann.: 

Our  magistrates. 
Rut.: 

Ha!  Ha!  Ha!  Ha! 
T  is  well,  't  is  so. 
Opim.: 

'T  were    ill    were 't    not    so. 

[Enter  guard] 
Guard.: 

The  Pontifex,  and  other  lords,  have  come! 

*  Livy  and  Cicero  seem  to  agree  in  limiting  the  number  of  the  patrician  families  to 
three  hundred. 


PAGE92         CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  II 

Farm.: 

We  greet  them. 

[Exeunt  all  but  CALPIO] 

Calp.: 

I  'm  to  kill  a  Roman!  Gods! 
Stark  fear,  and  pride,  contend  in  me,  apace: 
Myself  to  kill  one  of  this  hated  race! 

[Enter  PONTIFEX,  FANNIUS,  OPIMIUS, 
DRUSUS,  RUTILIUS,  Priests,  Senators, 
etc.] 

Farm.:  [to  Pontifex] 

High-favored  sir,*  my  humble  home  is  graced 
By  the  benignity  of  thine  approach. 
Pont.: 

It  is  but  meet  that  in  this  dreadful  hour, 
The  gods  seek  wisdom  from  Rome's  men  of 

power. 
Drus.: 

Our  brains  have  moved;  the  springal's  set; 

and  now, 
Naught 's  left,  high  sirs,  but  for  you  all,  and 

thou, 
Our  highest  priest,  and  those  who  serve  thy 

hands, 

To  turn  what  is  our  counsel  into  your  com 
mands. 
Opim.: 

Lords,  senators  and  judges,  praefects — friends! 
Our  Drusus  hath  prepared  your  several  parts, 
Which,  on  the  morrow,  when  the  shaft  is  loosed 
That  is  to  end  the  Gracchan  lunacy, 
Each  must  perform  to  win  this  dreadful  fight. 

Pont.:  [points  to  senators,  magistrates,  praefects,  etc.] 
We  are  thy  soldiers:  order  as  thou  wilt. 


*  The  position  of  the  Pontifex  Maximus  was  rather  an  anomalous  one.  He  was  the 
head  of  the  priests,  but  was  not  strictly  a  priest,  in  the  modem  significance  of  the 
term. 


AcTlI  CAIUS    GRACCHUS         PAGE  93 

Calp.:  [aside,  to  Rutilius] 

See  how  persuasive  is  the  voice  of  gold? 

Rut.:  [aside,  to  Calpio] 

I  have  that  maiden  in  my  straining  hold! 

Drus.: 

To-morrow,  enter  on  the  Forum,  lords, 
Prepared  to  rend  your  cloaks,  and  pluck  your 

hairs, 
And  cry  "Alas!"  and  weep  with  splashing 

tears, 

Fit  to  alarm  the  mob,  and  press  its  fears. 
The  signal  will  be  yours  when,  to  your  ears, 
There  wings  the  swelling  shout  of  "  Sacrilege!  " 
Then  fleetly  make  your  way  to  where  we  stand, 
And,  shrieking  "  Sacrilege!  "  wave  hands  on 

high, 
And  mingle  frenzied  shout  with  anguished  sob 

and  cry 

Curtain 


ACT  III 

The  Forum 

[Curtain  discloses  the  Rostra;  crowd 
standing  up  to  its  edges.  With  rising 
of  curtain,  chant  by  crowd: 
"  They  have  too  much,  and  we  too  little! 
So  let  us  whittle,  whittle,  whittle!  "  ] 

Cit.: 

Ho!  Silence!  Caius  Gracchus  speaks! 

Voices: 

Still!  Still! 

Gracch.: 

My  honest  Romans !  Here,  where  he  I  loved — 
Tiberius — was  foully,  basely,  slain, 
Here  I,  his  brother,  stand,  to-day,  foredoomed 
To  death  as  merciless* — 

Voices: 

No,  no,  no,  no! 

Gracch.: 

But  it  is  true!  The  cunning  brains  that  plan 
For  profit,  and  for  power,  night  and  day, 
Have  so  ordained,  and  now,  they  boast,  this 

very  hour, — 

Invoking  law  to  hide  their  Anarchy, — 
They  '11  still  my  life,  so  as  to  still  my  tongue: 
These  most  respectable  patrician  lords! 

Pleb.: 

We '11  die  with  thee! 

Cit.: 

Thy  brother's  brother,  hail! 


*The  resignation  of  Caius  Gracchus  to  his  fate,  which  has  sometimes  been 
adversely  criticised,  is  by  many  said  to  have  been  due  to  his  having  heard  Tiberius 
say  to  him,  in  a  dream :  "Why  linger,  Caius,  when  the  same  death  by  which  I 
perished  is  before  thee,  likewise?  "—Cic.  De  Div.  1,  26. 


PAGE  96         CAIUS    GRACCHUS          ACT  III 

Gracch.: 

My  brother:  ye  recall  him?  Oh,  ye  recall! 
That  sweet,  that  gentle  presence;  he  whose  love 
For   Rome,   and   Rome's   oppressed,   gushed 

from  a  source 

Exhaustion  served  but  to  renew  tenfold! 
Forgive  these  tears — 

Pleb.:  [sobbing] 

They  honor  thee! 
Cit.:  [sobbing] 

And  us- 
Men!  Weep!  Weep  for  that  loss! 
Pleb.: 

Yea,  such  a  loss ! 
Gracch.: 

Him,  him,  who  lived  to  serve  you,  they  assailed 
With  the  phantastic  tale  he  sought  a  crown. 
That  lie — that  monstrous  lie— 
Voices: 

A  lie!  A  lie! 
Gracch.: 

The  lie  they  '11  find  for  me, — what  man  shall 

say? 

But  they  will  find  it! 
Cit.: 

Let  them  find !  Vain  find ! 
Pleb.: 

The   gods  themselves   can   never  shake   our 

faith! 
Cit.: 

We're  wiser  now !  We're  not  so  simple-brained ! 
Pleb.: 

We  know  thee,  Gracchus! 
Voices: 

Aye,  we  do!  We  do! 
Gracch.: 

What  comes,  will  come.  But  still,  before  they 

rise 
To  take  your  votes  on  those  most  needful  laws 


ACT  III          CAIUS    GRACCHUS         PAGE  97 

Which  they  now  seek  to  wipe  from  off  the 

scrolls, 
I  pray  you :  let  me  endow  your  brains  with 

judgment. 

[Enter  DRTJSUS] 

Many  Voices: 

Hail!  Hail! 

Gracch.:  [to  Fulvius] 

Whom  do  they  cheer? 

Fulv.:  [to  Gracchus] 

'T  is  Drusus'  self  who  's  here. 
Gracch.:  [to  Fulvius] 

He  hath  befooled  them,  quite. 

Fulv.:  [to  Gracchus] 

And  will,  still  more. 
Gracch.: 

The  Rubrian  law  must  stay ! 
Cit.: 

Aye,  that  it  shall! 
Pleb.: 

What  Gracchus  wills  is  right! 
Cit.: 

It  is  for  me! 
What  say  ye,  comrades? 
Pleb.: 

Noble  Gracchus,  hail! 
We  '11  stay  with  thee  till  death! 
Voices: 

Till  death!  Till  death! 
Gracch.:  [to  Fulvius] 

The  gods  be  praised!  They  stand!  Their  wills 
are  firm! 

Fulv.:  [to  Gracchus] 

I  '11  tie  the  knot  securely  while  I  may. 
[to  crowd] 

Now  ye  who  hold  with  Gracchus  in  this  hour, 


PAGE98         CAIUS    GRACCHUS          ACT  III 

And  will  to  live,  or  die,  as  he  deems  right, 
Raise  up  your  hands  and  shout! 

Crowd:  [all  raising  hands] 

We '11  die  with  thee! 
Gracch.: 

My  comrades — honest  Romans — ye  all  know 

well 

The  quality  of  my  regard  for  those  who  toil. 
But  now,  I  thank  you  more  for  this,  your  gift 
That  ye  've  so  freely  given,  which,  indeed, 
Hath  made  me  very  rich. 

Pleb.:  [to  citizen] 

I  had  been  told 
He  was  not  rich. 
Cit.:  [to  pleb.] 

'T  is  but  a  way  he  hath 
Of  saying  that,  in  sooth,  he  's  very  poor. 

Pleb.:  [to  citizen] 

Ah  yes!  That 's  it.  He  is  not  rich,  thou  say'st? 

Gracch.: 

Your  ears  recall  that  when  I  came  back  home 
From  stern  Sardinia's  hard  shore,  I  said 
That  I  re-entered  Rome's  half-hostile  gates 
A  man  much  poorer  than  when  I  had  left.* 
Candor  compels  confession.  I  was  wrong. 

Pleb.: 

What 's  this?  What 's  this? 


*  At  the  age  of  27,  Gracchus  served  as  Quaestor  in  Sardinia  under  Orestes.  The 
winter  weather  was  severe,  and  the  General  demanded  of  the  cities  clothing  for 
his  common  soldiers.  The  citizens  appealed  to  Rome,  and  the  Senate  counter 
manded  the  requisition.  The  soldiers  suffered  greatly.  Gracchus  personally  solicited 
the  towns,  and  prevailed  on  their  good-will  to  help  the  soldiers  voluntarily.  Also 
Micipsa,  King  of  Sardinia,  because  of  his  personal  affection  for  Gracchus,  sent  to 
the  soldiers  a  large  quantity  of  corn.  The  Senate,  taking  alarm  at  this  evident 
popularity  of  the  brother  of  the  slain  Tiberius,  became  openly  hostile  to  Gracchus. 
The  latter  immediately  came  back  to  Rome,  and  faced  his  enemies.  He  then  made 
the  following  statement,  quoted  by  Plutarch:  "  He  was  the  only  man  who  went  out 
with  a  full  purse,  and  returned  with  an  empty  one;  while  others,  after  having  drunk  the 
wine  they  carried  out,  brought  back  the  vessels  filled  with  gold  and  silver." 


ACT  III 


CAIUS    GRACCHUS 


PAGE  99 


Gracch.. 


Voices: 


Pleb.: 
Gracch, 


I  was,  indeed,  a  poorer  man  in  purse, 
But  when  I  think  of  all  the  fair  repute, 
And  precious  honor,*  and  the  trustful  love 
I  'd  won  of  you,  my  honest  Roman  men — 

Aye,  that  thou  didst! 

We  love  thee  well! 

Art  ours! 

But  hast  no  cheer,  lord,  for  the  Roman  nobles? 

I  do  not  love  those  noble,  nor  those  high, 
Whose  titles  rest  on  aught  but  service  which 
They  have  themselves  done  to  their  fellow- 
men, 

For  which  some  nice  distinctions,  granted  by 
The  people's  instant  will,  may  point  them  out 
As  truly  great,  in  act,  in  spirit,  and  in  worth. 
My  soul  goes  sick  at  sight  of  those  sleek  rogues 
Who  claim  the  right,  by  virtue  of  mere  gold, 
Or  of  some  station  herited,  or  gained  by 

strength 

Of  cunning,  or  of  trafficking,  or  guile, 
To  strut  about,  the  masters  of  our  people 

and  our  state. 

They  are  our  enemies — those  keen-eyed  men,** 
Whose  hands  are  soft,  e'en  as  their  hearts  are 

hard, 

And  from  whose  nimble  brains  flow  all  our  woes. 
Beneath  their  purple-bordered  robes  I  spy 
Men  who,  when  others  went  to  fight,  and  die 
For  Roman  thought,  and  Roman  law's  wide 

sway, 
Themselves,  or  through  their  factors,  or  their 

furtive  kin, 
Made  profits  on  the  corn  our  soldiers  parched, 


*  Aldus  Gettius.  XI ;  10.  See,  also,  English  Hist.  Rev..  Vol.  20.  p.  433. 
**  Compare  Lysias'  Oration  against  the  grain  dealers.  Pars.  14,  15. 


PAGE  100       CAIUS    GRACCHUS          ACT  III 

And  profits  on  our  arms,  and  on  our  shields; 
Made  profits,  profits,  profits,  on  each  thing 
That  we,  the  fighting  men,  or  wore,  or  ate, 
Or  used  to  bleed  the  enemy.  And  these, 
Who  profited  while  others  lost — aye — lost 
Their  hands,  their  feet,  their  eyes,  their  very 

lives, — 

Now  shamelessly  display  their  ghoulish  pick 
ings 

In  chariots,  in  robes,  in  wondrous  spots 
Made  beautiful  for  their  abodes,  and  brand  us 
Low  traitors,  who  assail  their  stealings.  For  me, 
When  any  maid  sprung  of  such  loins  I  see, 
Go  mincing  by,  in  all  her  trappery, 
Of  precious  stuffs,  and  jewels  gleaming  out, 
Attended  by  her  slaves,  and  guards,  and  lovers, 
And  nosing  in  the  air  a  state  more  high 
Than  that  of  any  sweating  workman's  chit, 
My  bile  flows  hot:  I  'd  grasp  her  glistening 

hair, 

And  strip  her  naked,  and,  with  spiked  scourge, 
I  'd  whip  her  through  this  Forum,  loudly  cry 
ing: 
"  Take  off!  Thou  spawn  of  Profit!  Take  them 

off! 
There  's  blood  on  them,  and  rotten  corpses 

peep 

From  every  fold  of  thy  rich-laid  attire! 
These  jewels  are  the  eyes  of  many  dead, 
Who  clutter  battlefields;  these  rarest  scents, 
That  flow  from  thee,  are  pregnant  with  the 

stink 
Of   countless   slaughtered,  who   gave   all  for 

naught, 
While  those  whose  name  thou  bearest  stayed 

behind, 
And  gathered  all  for  naught.  Thou  Vampire 

Thing! 

Thou   art   a   fearful   growth   from   bleaching 
skulls! 


ACT  III          CAIUS    GRACCHUS       PA«$  101 

And  all  the  blood  that  tinges  thy  lips  red, 
Thy  sire  hath  lapped  beside  the  whitening 

dead! 
'T  is  the  blood  of  hungry  babes  who  've  wailed 

and  died, 
Of  starving  mothers,  whose  wet  breasts  have 

dried, 
Of  meager  men  whose  pulsing  hearts  he  'th 

squeezed 
For  those  rich  drops  that  for  thine  heart 

he  'th  seized ! 
Away  with  thee,  thou  filthy  womb  of  harpy 

broods!" 
Thus   would    I  cry   and  do!  But  law  says: 

nay — 'tis  wrong. 
And  law  must  ever  rule,  however  hard  its 

words. 

But  O,  my  kinsmen,  I  would  see  the  day 
When  every  putrid  swine  who  boasts  of  gold 
Stored  up  by  usury,  or  heritage, 
Or  huckster's  lore,  or  other  like  device, 
Be  shunned  by  men,  be  barred  from  every 

shrine, 
And  have  his  brow  seared  with  his  darling 

marking : 
The  signium  "  Profit,"  which,  when  decent 

folk  but  see, 
They  may  shriek    out   in    curdling  horror — 

and  flee! 
Drus.: 

So  thou,  my  frenzied  friend,  wouldst  take  the 

store 

From  him  who  hath  it,  as  the  fruit  of  thrift, 
Or  hard  endeavor,  or  adventure  staked, — 
And  give  it  to  the  sloth,  to  waste  at  will? 
Such  is  thy  traitorous  driveling  patter  still? 
Gracch. : 

Proclaim  thee  imbecile,  cold  heart  that  feeds 
A  trifling,  shallow  brain,  which  ever  tends 
Adroitly  to  the  wily  frauds  and  schemings, 


PACK.- 102       CAITJS    GRACCHUS          ACT  III 

But  not  at  all  to  ordered  thoughts  of  state. 
Rome  once  had  kings;  would  ye  have  kings 
here  now? 

Voices: 

No!  No! 

Gracch.: 

Yet  was  it  said  that  kingly  might  should  rest 
In  one  firm  hand,  and  that  if  placed,  in  parts, 
Among  the  citizens,  as  it  is  now, — 
If  each  were  called  t'  account  for  power  used, 
And  sternly  punished  for  each  power  abused, — 
There  would  ensue  disorder,  and  a  swirl 
Of  ceaseless  riot,  slaughter,  civil  warring. 
But  was  it  so? 

Pleb.: 

The  gods  bear  witness:  no! 

Gracch.: 

Ye  took  the  power  from  one  man,  as  his  right, 
And  placed  it  with  many,  as  a  passing  trust; 
And  this  ye  've  found  more  healthy,  and  more 

good. 

Thus  would  I  do  with  private  riches,  friends. 
I  care  not  for  the  luxuries,  nor  lusts, 
Of  private  men,  that  gold  may  buy  or  sate. 
These  soon  exhaust  the  pampered  sensual  flesh, 
And   work  their   vengeance   on  their   users' 

softened  selves. 

But,  private  hoard  is  private  empire;  this    - 
I  hold  to  be  such  wholly  baneful  danger,       ) 
I  deem  a  king  less  to  be  feared  than  him 
Who,  sitting  in  his  treasure  room,  can  dole 
To  this  one  this,  and  that  one  that,  of  wealth, 
And,  through  such  purchase,  be  thrice  king 
by  stealth! 

Pleb.: 

That 's  plain!  That 's  very  plain! 

Cit.: 

Right!  Right! 

Pleb.: 

Go  on! 


ACT  III          CAIUS    GRACCHUS       PAGE  103 

Voices: 

Go  on!  Go  on! 

Gracch.: 

These  private  emperors  within  our  gates 
Are  our  pernicious  peril.  By  th'  eternal  Fates, 
I  would  so  order  it,  that  he  who  hath 
More  riches  than  he  needs  for  his  own  keeping, 
Give  strict  accounting,  to  the  meanest  coin, 
Of  all  its  uses,  as  of  rule  employed, 
That  bears  the  burden  of  a  likely  ill  to  all: 
So  that  no  man  be  master  of  his  fellows, 
Except  as  is  well-known,  and  set  to  him. 
I  care  not,  citizens,  what  final  place 
The  law  points  out  for  such  men's  shining 

heaps; 
Or  be  it  showered  in  the  Forum  here — 

Voices: 

So!  So!  Aye,  aye!  Bring  on!  We  '11  have  it  now! 
[Laughter] 

Gracch.: 

Or  be  it  buried  in  the  moving  sea — 

Voices: 

No !  No !  That  were  not  right !  That  were  a  loss ! 
[Groans] 

Grace  h.: 

So  that  no  man  be  emperor  at  will, 

With  right  to  pass  his  sceptre,  with  his  till! 

Voices: 

No  emperors! 

Say'st  well! 

We  're  one  with  thee! 
No  private  emperors! 

No  secret  kings! 

Gracch.: 

I  seek  to  limit  every  private  dower, 
When  't  is  no  more  reward,  but  private  power. 
Thus  would  I  make  the  reign  of  Law  complete, 
And  banish  Anarchy  from  out  our  loved  state. 

Voices: 

So  we!  So  we! 


PAGE  104       CAIUS    GRACCHUS          ACT  III 

FUIV':      Swear  that  ye  will  be  faithful  to  our  chief; 

And  give  no  heed  to  those  patrician  lordlmgs, 
Who  come,  with  solemn  mien,  and  strutting 

Q  |T» 

To  argue  you  into  a  cheat,  that  will 

But  make  you  more  enslaved  by  your  own 

shackling:  .        ., 

The  victims  of  your  dullness,  and  their  guile. 

We  swear!  Gracchus!  Gracchus!  We  swear! 
We  swear! 

Fulv.:  [to  Gracchus] 

They  're  firm!  They  stand  unshaken! 

(to  populace]  Wc  >n  tame  these  lords! 


We  've  had  our  fill  of  lords!  Who  made  them 
lords? 

Aye  —aptly  questioned!  Who,  and  what? 


Pleb.:  [aside,  to  citizen]  gee? 

He  grasps  my  sense!  He  hath  a  proper  mind! 

FUIV"      I  '11  tell  you  who  the  lord  is!  'T  is  the  man 
Who  will  not  live  on  earning,  but  on  gain. 
It  is  th'  eternal  pimp!    By  wile,  ami  cheat, 
He  gathers  toll  wherever  he  may  nnd  it, 
And  sports  on  peopled  roads  his  gay  attire, 
His  milky-tmted  hands,  and  greenly-leering 

Encircled  by  no  carping  lines  of  care. 
It  is  th'  eternal  pimp! 

Drus':  So,  still  ye  froth, 

And  speak  most  ill  of  Roma's  wise  and  great, 
As  is  your  wont.  But  ye,  Quintes,  know 


ACT  III          CAIUS    GRACCHUS       PAGE  105 

That  many  laws,  drawn  for  your  weal,  have 

been 

Thought  out,  devised,  enacted  and  proclaimed 
By  our  good  Senate's  favor,  in  my  name,  that 

are 

Twice  ten  times  more  assuasive  of  your  wants 
Than  Gracchus'  laws.  Yet  Gracchus  cries  his 

petty 

And  bootless  meed,  as  if  it  were  the  whole 
Of  bounteousness  and  service,  to  yourselves, 
That  Rome  hath  ever  witnessed,  or  shall  see. 

Voices:  [one] 

Ho,  Drusus,  art  our  friend! 
[another] 

Thou  fraud!  Thou  fraud! 
Pleb.: 

Ho,  Gracchus !  What  of  Fannius !  'T  was  thou 
Stood  sponsor  for  him! 
Cit.: 

Speak  of  Drusus,  too! 
Grace  h.: 

I  asked  your  votes  for  that  which  Fannius 

played  he  was; 

I  curse  what  Fannius  is!  This  Drusus'  laws 
Are  for  your  minds'  confusion,  not  your  use; 
They  're  for  the  days  of  voting,  not  for  courts, 
And  each  of  them  at  very  birth  aborts. 
One  simple  law,  if  honestly  applied, 
Is  worth  a  code,  the  force  of  which  's  denied.* 

[DRUSUS  makes  motion  of  protest] 
at.: 

Ha,  ha— that  hits! 
Pleb.: 

That  bores  through  his  thick  skin! 

at..- 

Our  Caius  knows  the  soft-spots  of  his  hide! 


"...  but  the  Senate  well  knew  that  passing  laws,  and  carrying  them  out,  were 
two  very  different  things.  .  .  ."  The  Roman  Republic,  Heitland,  Vol.  II.  Sec.  732. 


PAGE106       CAIUS    GRACCHUS 


ACT  III 


Pleb.:  [aside,  to  citizen] 

I  love  these  voting  days,  when  every  haughty 

lord 
Must  take  our  common  wit,  to  earn  our  votes' 

reward. 


Voices: 
Gracch. 


Drus. 


Gracch., 


Speak  on!  Speak  on!  Speak  on! 


man 


I  shall.  This 
Is  neither  of,  nor  for  you;  not  at  all. 
He  's  but  a  vision,  flashed  in  dazzling  rays, 
To  blind  your  eyes,  the  while  ye  're  neatly 

plundered. 
Who  are  his  friends?  Who  vouches  for  his 

deeds? 
Who  speaks  on  his  behalf?  Who  is  it  points 

him  out, 

As  one  to  follow?  'T  is  the  swindling  lordly; 
For  which  he  is  an  evil,  and  a  curse! 
For,  even  were  he  true,  as  he  is  false, 
And  even  were  he  earnest,  as  he  's  not, 
Yet  would  his  truth,  and  earnestness,  both  die, 
Because  of  those  with  whom  he  loves  to  lie. 
This  is  a  law  of  nature,  and  of  man: 
The  dog  that  runs  with  wolves,  itself  grows 

wolf. 

And  thou,  my  bleating  lamb,  what  is  thy  hope? 
If  all  our  gods  be  broken,  and  our  great 
Made  small,  how  will  whatever  is  thy  wish  be 
served? 

I  wish  to  see  a  world  that 's  ruled  by  Law, 
Which  no  debauching  finger  can  approach! 
I  wish  to  see  a  world  that  's  free  of  guile: 
A  world  no  more  a  market-place,  but  made 
A  vineyard,  and  a  garden,  and  a  school. 
I  wish  to  see  men's  eyes  freed  of  that  sly, 
That  mean,  that  shrewd,  that  knowing,  cun 
ning  gleam 


ACT  III          CAIUS    GRACCHUS       PAGE  107 

Which  now  proclaims  to  all  abroad  the  crea 
ture 
Who  hath  attained  the  hideous  shame  that 's 

called  success. 

I  wish  to  see  men  strive  for  finer  ends 
Than  those  of  furtive  gain,  of  secret  rule, 
Or  dull  and  stupid  labor  for  a  crust! 
I  wish  to  see  the  worthy  hour  arrive 
When  flaunting  show  will  be  disgrace,  when  all 
Must  do  their  measured  doles  of  toil  for  food, 

for  roof, 

For  everything  of  need,  but  none  at  all  of  spoil, 
And  leave  some  time  for  every  man  to  raise 
His  eyes  from  trough,  or  furrow,  and  to  live 
WTith  thought,  with  love,  with  nature,  with  the 
gods! 

Drus.:  [mockingly] 

And  when  all  this  hath  come, — what  shalt 

thou  gain? 
Gracch.: 

What  shall  I  gain?  What  does  the  bard,  who 

sings 

His  song  in  lone,  waste  wilds;  the  poet  when 
He  fashions  out  his  measure;  or  when  first 
She  gazes  on  her  infant,  what 's  the  gain 
The  mother  hath  of  all  her  rending  pains? 
What  is  their  gain?  What  mine?  A  dream  made 

true; 

A  something  yearning,  straining,  here,  within, 
That 's  brought  to  being.  Just  a  dream  made 

true 

[Shouts  by  crowd] 
Pleb.: 

Thou  noble  Gracchus! 
Cit.: 

Tell  us  how  to  vote! 
Gracch.: 

This  moment  is  most  solemn :  both  for  you, 
Who  are  the  life  and  striving  of  to-day, 


PAGE  108       CAIUS    GRACCHUS          ACT  III 

And  those  who  are  to  draw  their  sorrows  from 

your  loins. 

Give  heed,  that  I  may  tell  you  in  small  words 
Each  detail  of  what 's  staked,  and  what  s  to 

lose — 

[Movement  in  crowd— murmur] 

[aside,  to  Fulvius] 
What 's  there? 

Fulv.:  [aside,  to  Gracchus] 

It  is  some  show— I  can  not  tell- 

Gracch.:  f  .      , 

This  is  a  solemn  moment,  O  my  fnends- 

[Murmur,  and  movement  in  crowd,  in 
crease] 

Gracch. :  [aside,  to  Fulvius] 

I  've  lost  them,  quite.  What 's  happened?  Canst 

thou  see? 

Fulv.:  [aside,  to  Gracchus] 

Aye,  now  I  do.  It  is  the  courtesan 
Most  noted  in  all  Rome :— she  passeth  by- 
[LYDIA,  in  litter,  attended  by  guards, 
is  carried  across  rear  of  stage] 

Gracch.:  [aside,  to  Fulvius] 

And  't  is  for  this  they  leave  me!  Ah,  ye  gods- 

Fulv.:  [aside,  to  Gracchus] 

'T  is  but  the  people's  way.  Strike!  Win  them 

back! 

Gracch.:  [aside,  to  Fulvius] 

Let  be.  Let  be.   Mark  Drusus,  there,  who 

stands,  ,  . 

And  darkly  smiles.  There 's  that  within  his  eye 
Speaks  gloating  threat. 

The  augurs  come!  The  priests! 


ACT  III          CAIUS    GRACCHUS       PAGE  109 

Cit.: 

The  Pontifex!  The  augurs! 
Pleb.: 

Silence!  Silence! 
[Enter  PONTIFEX,  augurs] 
Gracch.: 

Friends,  bend  respectful  heads  to  these,  our 
priests. 

Cit.:  [to  pleb.] 

He  's  reverent,  then? 

Pleb.:  [to  citizen] 

That  Gracchus  is. 
Pont.: 

This  way! 
Let  him  who  brings  the  entrails  pass  this  way ! 

[CALPIO,  half-hooded,  elbows  his  way 
through  crowd] 

at.: 

Art  rough,  my  friend!  Wherefore  this  jostling 

haste? 
Calp.: 

Mine  eyes  would  feast  on  Gracchus,  closer  to. 
Pleb.: 

Good  wish!  Pass  on!  Pass  up! 

[CALPIO  mounts  steps,  and  stands  near 
GRACCHUS,  who,  with  FULVIUS,  PHIL- 
OCRATES,  and  PORTINTJS,  has  retired  to 
side  of  Rostra,  near  steps] 

Voice: 

Thelictor!  Way! 
Make  way !  The  sacred  signs ! 

[Enter  ANTYLLIUS,  bearing  entrails] 

Phil.:  [to  Gracchus] 

Sir — something  's  strange. 
Antyllius  struts  as  lictor! 


PAGE  110       CAIUS    GRACCHUS          ACT  III 

Gracch.: 

Ha! 

[ANTYLLIUS  pauses,  hesitates;  DRUSUS 
makes  a  slight  motion  of  hand  toward 
GRACCHUS] 
Port.: 

Antyllius!  Thou  spy! 
AntylL: 

Thou  puling  slave! 
[Crowds  near  GRACCHUS;  pushes  him 
with  free  arm] 

Make  way,  ye  factious  knaves,  for  honest  men ! 
Port.: 

Thou  traitor!  Traitor!  Spy!  Hell's  furies!  Spy! 

Fulv.:  [to  Antyllius] 
Dost  dare? 

Phil.:  [pushes  Antyllius  away] 

Thou  worthless  thing!  For  shame! 

Gracch.:  [stretches  arm  toward  Fulvius  and  Philocrates] 

Let  be! 

Calp.:  [standing  between,  and  behind,  Gracchus  and  Phi- 
locratesy  stabs  Antyllius  in  throat] 

Thou  dog  who  dares  flout  Caius  Gracchus — 
die! 

[ANTYLLIUS  falls;  CALPIO  drops  stylus, 
and  mingles  with  crowd] 

Gracch.: 

Help!  Help!  O  bloody  deed!  Help!  Romans, 

help! 
Voices: 

Ho  !  Stop  him!  Murder!  Murder!  Murder!  Ho! 

Drus.:  [points  to  Gracchus] 

Thou   wretched    murderer!   Hopest   thou  to 

screen 
Thy  wilful  crime  behind  an  anxious  mien? 


ACT  III          CAIUS    GRACCHUS       PAGE  111 

Pkb.: 

Who  slew  him?  Didst  thou  see? 

at.: 

No,  I  did  not. 
It  came  so  swiftly — 

Gracch.: 

Paltry  jackal,  what? 
Dost  dare  accuse  my  hands? 

Drus.: 

That 's  what  I  do, 
And  cry  that  Gracchus  this  poor  lictor  slew! 

Gracch.: 

0  cursed  creature! 

at.: 

It  was  Gracchus  then? 

Pleb.: 

Didst  see?   'T  was   Drusus  saw  him — didst 
thou  see? 

Drus.:  [pointing  to  Gracchus] 

Here  stands  th'  assassin,  known  of  gods  and  men ! 

Voices: 

It  was  not  Gracchus! 

No,  it  was  his  man! 
Where  is  he? 

Gone — he  's  gone! 

Who  was  it? 
See!  It  was  a  stouter  man! 

A  thinner! 

1  saw  him  run! 

JT  was  Gracchus ! 

Fulv.: 

It  is  a  plot!  Friends!  Friends!  Quick!  Form  a 

guard 
To  save  your  Gracchus! 


PAGE  112       CAIUS    GRACCHUS          ACT  III 

Cit.: 

Come!  Let 's  run  to  aid! 

Pleb.: 

But  Gracchus  slew  the  lictor — yea — I  saw — 
With  mine  own  eyes — I  saw  his  arm  sweep  wide — 
I  '11  almost  vow  I  saw  him  speed  the  blow! 
Indeed,  it  must  be  he,  the  guilty  wretch! 
To  slay  a  holy  messenger!  Stay  here! 
For  him  I  gave  away  ten  weighty  silver  coins! 

Cit.: 

Say'st  so?  Didst  see?  Didst  see? 

Pleb.: 

Didst  see  thyself— 
And  Drusus  saith  'tis  so, — so  it  must  be! 

Pont.: 

O  sacrilege!  Ye  sacred  gods — forgive! 

Crowd: 

O  sacrilege! 

Fulv.:  [to  Gracchus] 

The  day  is  lost.  Now  flee! 

Gracch.: 

Right  must  be  heard!  My  friends!  Attend  my 
voice! 

Pleb.: 

Away,  thou  bloody  man!  Away!  Away! 

Voices: 

Sacrilege!  Sacrilege! 

Gracch.: 

But  't  is  a  plot,  my  friends,  a  monstrous  plot! 

Drus.: 

A  plot?  A  plot?  Is  this 

[Raises  body  of  ANTYLLIUS] 


ACT  III          CAIUS    GRACCHUS       PAGE  113 

limp  man  a  plot? 

Go  bawl  that  word  to  ears  more  long  than  ours ! 
A  plot?  And  did  we  plot  to  kill  our  guard? 
Out,  basest  trickster!  Enemy  of  Rome! 
Too  long  have  Romans  suffered  thy  lax  tongue 
To  wag,  and  flout  our  noblest,  and  our  highest! 
Now,  Roman  men,  forget  that  there  are  rich, 
That  some  are  poor,  and  some  are  great,  and 

some 

Are  born  to  humbler  station.  For,  all  men 
Are  useful  in  their  several  ways,  and  each 
Receives  what 's  justly  due  him  in  his  fated 

place. 

Here,  in  the  presence  of  this  hateful  crime, 
We  stand  as  Romans,  first.  Here,  we  lay  by 
Our  private  jealousies,  and  petty  envies, 
That  far  too  much  have  stirred  our  common 

lives, 

Lashed  on  to  frothing  fury  by  this  low 
And  treacherous  stabber  of  a  man  unarmed, 
Who  walked  on  sacred  mission.  I  saw  the  deed 
WTith  these  two  eyes.  And  so  did  you,  with 

yours? 
Voices: 

We  did!  We  did!  O  bloody  sacrilege! 
Drus.: 

What  good  to  cry,  the  hand  that  threw  the  steel 
Was  not  this  Gracchus'  own?  How?  Were  it  so, 
Yet  was  it  nothing  other  than  his  will 
That  urged  its  blow.  And  so,  't  was  Gracchus' 

hand 
That  wrought  this  fearsome  crime.  For  which 

I  say  to  you: 
'T  was  Caius  Gracchus'  deed !  Who  says  me 

nay? 
Pleb.: 

Not  I !  Not  I !  Here  's  one  who  's  not  misled ! 
I  'm  a  respectable, — I  am  a  loyal  man! 
Fulv.: 

Thou  ratty,  crawling  fool! 


PAGE  114       CAIUS    GRACCHUS          ACT  III 

Cit.: 

Then  I  'm  one,  too! 

No  more!  No  more  of  your  seditious  bawling, 
Ye  anarchistic  rogues! 

Drus.: 

Good  citizens! 

I  honor  you!  Such  is  the  wondrous  stuff 
Of  which  the  sturdy,  loyal  Roman's  made! 
Say — now — what  shall  be  done  with  this  red 

felon, 
This  radical,  anarchic  fount  of  hate? 

Gracch.: 

Hear!  Hear  me,  friends!  Forego  this  dastard's 

wiles ! 

A  boldly  ventured  lie  stands  half  a  truth, 
Which,  oft  repeated,  puts  the  last  to  rout, 
And  rears  its  loathsome  visage  in  her  place. 
But,  O,  my  friends,  ye  will  not  be  deceived? 

Drus.: 

Thou  infamous!  Thou  rascal!  So,  wouldst  dare 
To  take  the  word*  from  me,  while  I  am  speak 
ing 

To  Roma's  tribes  as  Tribune?  Thus,  again, 
Imposest  traitorous  crime  on  mortal  crime! 
Be  silent,  thou! 

Voices:  [one] 

The  Rock!  The  Rock! 
[another] 

Nay !  Gracchus  is  our  chief ! 
[another] 

I  did  not  see  him  do  it! 
[another] 

He  's  our  friend! 


*  It  was  forbidden  to  interfere  with  a  Tribune  who  was  addressing  the  populace. 
It  seems  to  be  established  that  when  Gracchus  attempted  to  defend  himself,  he 
was  accused  of  this  impropriety. 


ACT  III          CAIUS    GRACCHUS       PAGE  115 

Drus.: 

And  are  there  any  here  so  villainous, 

As  still  to  call  this  creature  friend?  How  now? 

A  lie?  And  is  this  death  a  lie?  This  piteous 

blood 

That  stains  the  Rostra's  floor, — is  that  a  lie? 
Consider  ye  this  low-laid,  weltering  corpse, 
Of  our  loved  Consul's  lictor!  .... 
He  served  the  Gracchus  yesterday.  To-day, 
Impelled  to  fiery  fury  at  the  sight 
Of  that  poor  soldier  in  an  honest  habit, 
This  Gracchus  slew  him,  or  ordered  slain,  as 

ye  've  all  seen. 

For,  he  's  a  man  of  passion,  as  ye  know — 
The  partner  of  this  red-eyed  Fulvius — 
A   ranting,   foaming   creature,    stabbed   and 

lashed 

To  violence  by  his  own  wild  haranguing. 
Ye  've  seen   him  here, — ye  see  him  now, — 

ablaze 
With    scarce    impounded    anger,    for    which 

quality 

He  hath  been  titled  Cleon  by  learned  men 
Who  know  that  Grecian  braggart's  style.  But 

now, 

Inspired  by  that  same  mood  to  felony, 
He  dares  deny  the  action  of  his  will: 
An  act  so  fearsome,  that  the  very  gods,  aghast, 
Shout  down  their  curses,  shrieking:  "  Sacri 
lege!  " 

[Makes  sign  to  PONTIFEX] 

Pont.: 

Sacrilege! 

[Makes  sign  to  AUGURS] 

Augurs: 

Sacrilege ! 

Voices  from  distance:  [growing  louder] 

Sacrilege!  Sacrilege! 


PAGE  116       CAIUS    GRACCHUS          ACT  III 

[Enter  OPIMIUS,  FANNIUS,  RUTILIUS, 
and  procession  of  Senators,*  tearing 
their  cloaks,  wringing  their  hands,  etc., 
crying:  "Sacrilege!"  They  form  a  circle 
around  body  of  ANTYLLIUS,  showing 
signs  of  grief,  raising  hands  upward 
in  gestures  of  adoration,  etc.] 

Fulv.: 

Ho — ho!  Th'  Esquilian  vultures  flock! 
Pkb.: 

Be  still! 
Gracch.:  [aside,  to  Fulvius] 

Our  pious  patriots  !  Alas,  poor  Rome  ! 
Drus. : 

Ye  Roman  men :  good  citizens, — the  staff 
Upon  whose  sturdy  frame  is  built  the  thing 
That  is  the  state  of  Rome:  ye  see  in  grief 
The  Roman  Senate — noblemen  who  are 
Patrician  since  the  founding   of   our   city — 
Do  homage  to  the  trunk  of  this  that  was 
A  common  soldier — like  yourselves — a  man 
Of  humble  blood.   Yet  here  they   waste  in 

tears — 

These  gracious  Senators.  And  why?  Because 
They    are    your    Fathers,   these,    our    god- 
marked  men — 

Who  sit  in  yonder  Senate  House  to  plan 
Not  for  themselves  :  ah,  no — for  you,  for  you — 
For  you  and  yours:  these,  in  whose  tender 

hearts 
There  's  naught  but  deep  concern  for  what  is 

best, 

Not  for  just  one,  or  two,  or  any  part 
Of  Rome,  but  for  its  various,  cognate,  glorious 
whole ! 


*  "  The  Consul  assembled  the  Senate,  and  while  he  was  addressing  them  within, 
others  exposed  the  corpse  of  Antyllius,  naked  on  a  bier  without,  and,  as  it  had  been 
previously  concerted,  carried  it  through  the  Forum  to  the  Senate  House,  making 
loud  acclamations  all  the  way.  Opimius  knew  the  whole  farce;  but  pretended  to  be 
much  surprised.  The  Senate  went  out,  and  planting  themselves  about  the  corpse, 
expressed  their  grief  and  indignation,  as  if  some  dreadful  misfortune  had  befallen 
th  em . " — Plutarch . 


ACT  III          CAIUS    GRACCHUS       PAGE  117 

"A  plot!"  this  Gracchus  says,  "a  plot!" 
Now  gaze! 

And  are  these  streaming  tears  a  plot?  These 
forms 

That  shake  with  griping  anguish  for  this  awe 
some  crime? 

And  are  our  priests  in  plot?  And  this,  our  good 

Chief  Priest?  Our  Judges?  And  our  Consul,  too? 

Come,  think!  Did  all  of  these  red-buskined 
men, 

Cloaked  by  the  night,  meet  in  some  secret 
closet, 

There  to  plan  out  this  crime,  and  these  sharp 
cries 

Of  horror,  and  these  bitter  tears,  as  well? 

What,  then?  Do  we  mislead  you  ?  Are  ye  fools? 

Opim.:  [aside,  to  Drusus] 

Dost  tell  the  tale  so  well,  they  will  suspect ! 

Drus.:  [aside,  to  Opimius] 

Their  pimply  brains  take  fire;   their  fervor 

glows ! 
Their  chests  swell   out:   they  're   patriots, — 

patriots — all ! 
I  '11  make  them  pull  the  rope  that  strangles 

them! 
I  '11  prove  to  them  what  was  could  not  have 

been, 
And  show  the  Gracchan  wailings  cheap,  and 

mean! 

Fann.:  [aside,  to  Rutilius] 

Now  earn  thy  little  maid  with  briny  speech! 

Rut.: 

O  woful  sight!  To  view  a  faithful  man 
So  cruelly  laid  low!  Come  closer,  closer 
Good  citizens:  wrap  this  silken  cloak  about 
These  poor  remains.  Gently !  Treat  them  with 
respect1 


PAGE  118       CAIUS    GRACCHUS          ACT  III 

Pleb.: 

Thou  noble,  generous  youth! 
Cit.: 

O  kindly  heart! 

Pleb.:  [to  citizen] 

Let  us  wail  with  them,  so  that  we  '11  be  linked 
With  all  these  great  ones,  by  the  common  grief. 

Rut.:  [aside,  to  soldier] 

Burn  wind  to  this  Antyllius'  home.  Bring, 

thence, 

His  daughter  to  my  house.  If  any  hinder, 
Say  Lord  Fannius  wills !  Run !  Curse  thee !  Run ! 

Sold.: 

Obeyed. 

[Exit  soldier] 

Rut.:  [aside] 

O  pleasant  day!  Bright  gods!  I  thank  you  all! 

[Turns  to  crowd] 
Sacrilege! 
Drus.: 

A  plot,  he  says — come,  who  believes  that  tale? 
Are  any  here  so  vile?  Is  one  so  dull? 
Pleb.: 

Plots!  Ha! 
Cit.: 

Conspiracies!  What  dreams! 
Pleb.: 

Dreams?  Lies! 
Fulv.: 

Thou  shifty  rogue!  I  say  it  was  a  plot, 

And  that  thy  brain  itself  planned  out  this 

stroke! 
Drus.: 

Now,  there  is  humor!  Ha,  ha,  ha,  ha,  ha! 
Crowd: 

Ha!  Ha!  Ha!  Ha!  Ha!  Ha! 
Pleb.: 

Kill,  kill  the  wretch! 


ACT  III          CAIUS    GRACCHUS       PAGE  119 

Old  Worn.:  [struggles  through  crowd;  ascends  rostra] 

Way!  Way  for  me!  Ye  Romans!  Give  me  way! 
Plebeian  men!  To  Hades  with  the  gods! 
To  Hades  with  the  priests,  the  gold-blown 

great! 
They  hate  you  all!  They  lie!  They  're  liars! 

Liars ! 

Be  loyal  to  yourselves,  your  sons,  your  blood! 
The  same  as  they  are  loyal  to  themselves, 

their  own! 
Here  's  he  who  's  for  you — Gracchus — stand 

by  him! 

He  '11  save  you  all,  as  he  will  save  my  boy! 
Hear  but  your  needs,  and  not  their  clever  talk! 
Hear  only  Gracchus!  Curse  the  priests,  the 

high  ones! 

The  oily,  purring  priests,  these  cheating  knaves ! 
They  sell  you!  Ye  're  their  wares!  They  dupe 

you,  all! 
Gracch.: 

Good  mother,  cease — 
Pont.: 

O  horror!  Blasphemy! 
Pleb.: 

She  's  mad!  She  'th  cursed  the  gods! 
Old  Worn.: 

My  boy!  My  boy! 
Pont.: 

Ho!  Take  her  off ! 

[OLD  WOMAN  is  seized  and  dragged  off.] 
Drus.: 

Ye  've  heard  this  frightful  blasphemy,  good 

men: 

Ye  've  seen  this  comedy,  to  stir  you  up 
To  deeds  of  violence,  by  making  use 
Of  that  mad,  mouthing  mother  of  a  thief! 
Voices:  [one] 

Shame!  Shame! 
[another] 

The  mother  of  a  thief!  O  shame! 


PAGE  120       CAIUS    GRACCHUS          ACT  III 

Drus.: 

Come, — who  is  left  that  is  for  Gracchus  now? 

Who  is  against  the  gods?  Who  deems  this  deed 

Of  wanton  murder  good?  Speak,  man!  Speak, 
many! 

Let  us  behold  such  worthless  citizens! 
Pleb.: 

The  law!  The  law  for  Gracchus! 
Cit.: 

Seize  him,  then! 
Drus.: 

Attend,  O  Consul!  Heed  the  commons'  call! 
Opim.: 

Do  ye  surrender  to  the  law's  just  course? 
Fulv.: 

We  choose  patrician's  law — the  law  of  might! 
[to  Gracchus] 

And  art  not  armed ! 

Port.:  [produces  Gracchus9  sword  from  beneath  his  cloak.] 
I  've  brought  the  master's  sword. 
Fulv.:  [takes  sword] 

Thou  noble!  Thanks! 

[Tenders  sword  to  GRACCHUS] 

Here,  swing  this  friendly  pin! 
Gracch.:  [sweeps  weapon  aside] 

What?   Shall    the  father  plunge  the  mortal 

steel 

Into  the  bowels  of  his  erring  child? 
I  bring  not  Death,  but  Truth,  to  these  gone 

wild. 

[FULVIUS  returns  sword  to  PORTINUS] 

Phil.: 

I  '11  be  thy  shield,  my  master!  Forward,  we! 

By  Hercules!  My  sword  is  good  for  three! 
Opim.: 

Ho,  aediles!  Call  the  guard!  Ho!  Seize  these 
men! 


ACT  III          CAIUS    GRACCHUS       PAGE 

Fulv.: 

Who  seizes  me  grasps  lightning!  Way,  ye  fools! 
Make  way!  Come,  Gracchus!  To  the  Aventine! 
Phil: 

Make  way,  ye  asses'  brothers!  Ho!  Make  way! 

[Holds  out  his  sword] 

Here   Pluto   rides.   Wouldst  stay   him?   Ha, 
there,  way! 

[FULVIUS,    PHILOCBATES,    GRACCHUS 
and  POBTINUS  make  their  way  through 
the  crowd] 
Gracch.: 

O  fatal  hour! 

Opim.,  Drus.,  Pont.,  Crowd: 

Sacrilege!  Seize  them!  Seize  them! 

Curtain 


ACT  IV 

Section  of  Triclinium  in  Fannius9  Palace 

[The  setting  is  in  the  form  of  an  "  L," 
of  which  the  front  constitutes  the 
lower  member. 

Necessary  to  the  action:  an  embra 
sure,  with  outward  fenestration,  and 
a  hanging  that  partly  screens  the 
embrasure  from  the  main  setting. 

Curtain  discloses  revel  in  progress] 

Drus.:  [throws  dice] 

A  Jupiter!  No  good!  Septimuleius  : — throw! 

Sept.:  [throws  dice] 

A  dog  !*  Still  worse!  Throw  thou,  Rutilius — 
throw! 

Rut.:  [throws  dice] 

A  Venus!  There!  I  win! 
Drus.: 

As  is  most  meet; 

So  art  thou  King  of  Wine**  at  thine  own  feast! 
Rut.: 

Now  let  my  father's  attics  rain  their  jugs! 

Drink !  Drink !  And  who  to  any  cup  saith  "nay," 

Is  sealed  a  poor  plebeian  thing  this  day! 

[Exit  SEPTIMULEIUS  to  other  part 
of  triclinium.  Laughter  by  revelers. 
Shrieks,  clash  of  arms,  heard  outside] 


*  Every  throw  of  the  dice  had  a  special  name.  The  "  canis  "  was  the  lowest  throw, 
the  "  Venus  "  the  highest. 

** The  "  Arbiter  Bibendi "  was  chosen  by  throwing  the  dice;  and  he  directed  the 
course  of  the  feast. 


PAGE  124       CAIUS    GRACCHUS          ACT  IV 

Drus.: 

There  's  music  for  you!  How  our  serving  braves 
Draw    blood    from    them:     those    star-eyed 

promise-spillers 

Who  yesterday  bawled  of  the  rights  of  man, 
And  other  gibberish  of  that  same  strain. 
[Shrieks,   groans,   thuds,   outside] 
Kill!  Kill!  O  splendid,  heartening,  joyous  sight! 
More  Massic,  slaves!  More  wine!  A  glorious 

night! 
Rut.: 

By  Bacchus !  I  thirst  more  for  maid  than  grape. 
She  tarries,  while  mine  arms  ache  with  desire, 
And  all  my  being  hungers  for  the  feel 
Of  that  divine  young  body.  Speed  thee,  maid! 

Fann.:  [without] 

We  give  no  terms  to  rebels ! 

Boyish  Voice:  [without] 

But,  sir — 
Fann.:  [without] 

Go! 

[Enter  FANNIUS] 

Revelers: 

Ho!  Fannius!  Ho!  Victor!  Ho!  Hail!  Ho! 

Fann.:  [to  Rutilius] 

Hath  Calpio  yet  homed? 
Rut.: 

Not  since  this  morn. 

[Shrieks,  clash  of  arms  outside.  FAN 
NIUS  listens] 

It  is  a  welcome  noise? 
Fann.: 

Thou  say'st  ....  But  now, 

I  wait  a  singular  arrival,  son. 
Rut.: 

The  Gracchus? 


ACT  IV          CAIUS    GRACCHUS       PAGE 

Farm.: 

No — not  quite.  The  Gracchus'  wife. 
Rut.: 

Ha,  father — art  of  us !  And  thou  wilt  join 
Our  merry  feast,  when  hast  thy  longed-for 

mistress? 
Fann: 

I  '11  play  the  satyr,  and  recall  this  much 
Too  aging  frame  to  youth,  with  wine  and  wench. 

Lyd.:  [advances  to  Fannius] 

How, — hast  forgot  thy  love  of  other  nights? 

Fann.: 

Those  memories  linger,  beautiful,  but  now, 
I  am  for  firmer  meat,  that  hath  not  felt 
The  impress  of  so  many  questing  hands. 

Lyd.: 

Pooh!  Pleasure-giving  is  an  art,  old  goat, 
That  is  not  learnt  in  one  man's  arms  alone. 

Fann.: 

The  mellow  wine  is  tasteful  to  the  young, 
But  aged  palates  crave  a  draft  more  strong, 
And  seek  the  tickle  of  a  rawer  juice 
To  send  a  thrill  through  nerves  bent  on  disuse. 

Rut.: 

I  '11  joy  with  thee,  adored,  to  stay  the  twinges 
Of  hunger  for  another. 

[Embraces  LYDIA,   and  reclines  with 
her  on  couch] 

Drus.: 

Come,  Lord  of  Drinks,  command  the  merry 

wave 

To  raise  us  on  its  crest,  and  float  us  off! 
Rut.: 

Wine!  More  amphorae,  lead-footed  scullions! 

Wine! 
Drus.: 

Here  's  bliss!  Shalt  love  two  fair  ones  in  one 
night ! 

[Laughter  and  applause  by  revelers] 


PAGE  126       CAIUS    GRACCHUS          ACT  IV 

Rut.: 

It  were  a  wondrous  thing — could  it  be  done — 

To  love  two  separate  maidens,  just  as  one. 

That  's  thought  to  stir  a  rhymster  to  pen  verse! 
Drus.: 

Then  be  the  poet! 
Rut.: 

Pindus  has  known  worse. 
Drus.: 

Rutilius  sings!  Give  audience  to  his  Muse! 
Rut.: 

Your  patience,  and  your  ears,  I  '11  now  abuse. 

[Chants] 
What  a  pity, 
When  a  pretty 

Maid  I  press  within  mine  arms, 
I  can't  smother 
Still  another, 
With  my  kisses  'mid  her  charms. 

Chloe's  passion 

Stirs,  in  fashion 

Most  sublime,  but  Phyllis'  eyes, 

Make  me  quiver, 

Burn  and  shiver, 

With  an  ever  new  surprise. 

Fain  I  'd  blend  them, 

And  both  send  them, 

Thrillingly,  through  limbs  and  brain; 

But  another 

I  can't  smother, 

While  one  maid  in  love  I  strain! 

[Screams,  laughter,  shouts,  by  revelers. 
Enter  soldier,  with  HELIA.  RUTILIUS 
springs  from  couch] 

Two  doves  for  thee,  fair  Venus !  Here 's  my  maid ! 

[Dnusus  joins  LYDIA] 


ACT  IV          CAIUS    GRACCHUS       PAGE 

Sold.: 

My  sword  had  failed,  had  not  thy  name  pre 
vailed. 
Helia: 

Protect  me,  Dian! 
Rut.: 

Sweet — be  not  afraid! 
Helia: 

Have  pity,  lord! 
Rut.: 

I  '11  give  thee  more:  my  love! 
Here  's  an  earnest! 

[Seizes  HELIA] 

My  kiss!  I  '11  kiss  thine  apples  next! 
Helia:  [struggles] 

Portinus!  Father!  Spare  me!  Spare  me!  Oh! 
Drus.: 

I  fear  't  will  take  some  hate  to  love  this  maid. 
Lyd.: 

Look!  See  him  labor  with  this  latest  toy, 
The  while  he  spurns  soft-handed  proffered  joy! 
My  gorge  turns  somersaults.  I  go  to  seek  more 
wine. 

[Exit  LYDIA  to  other  part  of  triclinium] 

Sept.:  [shouts] 

King  of  theBumpers — haste !  Thy  crown  awaits ! 
Come !  Throw  wide  open  Revel's  crimson  gates ! 

Rut.:  [to  soldier] 

Take  her  to  my  small  room.  Await  commands. 

[Soldier  carries  HELIA  away] 
Good  guests — your   liege    makes    answer  to 

your  call! 
[aside] 

Though  rather  would  he  say  "  good-night "  to 
all. 

[Exit  RUTILIUS  to  other  portion  of 
triclinium.  CALPIO  and  soldier,  with 
LICINIA,  appear  in  doorway.  Shrieks, 
clash  of  arms  outside] 


PAGE  128       CAIUS    GRACCHUS          ACT  IV 

Fann.: 

The  spoils  of  war  come  fast;  here  's  booty 

worth 

A  prince's  striving.  So,  again,  I  win! 
Ho,  soldiers,  bring  the  lady  here,  within! 
Lie.: 

What  dost  thou  seek  to  gain  by  this  assault? 
Fann.: 

Thyself,  dear  lady,  who,  to  stay  unharmed, 
While  Slaughter  stalks,  blood-drippingly, 

abroad, 

Shalt  bargain  for  thy  life  with  passion's  kisses. 
Lie.: 

When  Caius  swoops,  in  vengeance,  in  the  morn, 
On  Rome's  gold-fingered  ravishers,  base  hound, 
Shalt  know  the  kiss  of  steel  in  thy  loose  paunch  ! 
Fann.: 

Thy  heated  mien  but  kindles  me  the  more. 
[to  Calpio] 

Speak,  Calpio!  What  news  comes  of  that  man? 
When  will  he  haste  to  claim  his  loving  spouse? 
Calp.: 

Left  single  by  the  common  horde,  as  one 
Who  broadly  shows  the  plague-signs  on  his 

face, 
The  Gracchus  fled,  this  even,  from  Selene's 

shrine 
And  now,  like  some  doomed  beast,  beset,  and 

chased 
By  men-at-arms,   skulks  within  the  Furies' 

Grove, 

Where  soon  he  yields — or  dies. 
Fann.: 

And  did  he  naught  to  earn 
His  passage  to  his  hovel,  and  his  wife? 
Calp.: 

He  shed  some  tears  upon  the  plate  whereon 

His  father's  form  is  imaged  in  hard  bronze, 

Which  moved  the  stolid  statue  not  at  all. 

[Laughter  by  revelers] 


ACT  IV          CAIUS    GRACCHUS       PAGE 

Drus.: 

0  frigid  sire! 
Farm.: 

Hast  heard!  Thou  art  my  prize! 

[Seizes  LICINIA] 
Now  earn  thy  life  with  all  the  wiles  of  love! 

Lie.:  [struggles] 

Oh,  Caius!  Gods! 

[Strikes  him  in  face] 
Drus.: 

That  was  a  lusty  blow. 
Farm.: 

Thou!  .  .  .  Thou!  ...  I  '11  have  thee,  whether 

wilt,  or  no! 
Lie.: 

I  in  thine  arms?  When  Ixion  held  the  clouds, 
That  union  bred  the  centaurs'  frightful  forms, 
But  if  thy  body  but  touched  mine,  I  should 

spawn 

Green    toads,    and   hissing   serpents,    oozing 
slime ! 

[Enter  Guard] 

Guard: 

Opimius,  Consul,  enters  in  the  court, 
The  Pontifex,  and  senators,  and  more. 

Farm.: 

I  haste  to  greet  them.  But,  't  is  best  the  master* 
Of  Rome  be  not  persuaded  by  temptation 
To  covet  my  dame. 
[to  soldier] 

Secure  this  woman, 
And  house  her,  privately,  for  my  return. 

[Exit  FANNTUS.  Soldier  ties  LICINIA; 
places  her  on  couch,  in  embrasure] 


*  To  make  it  possible  for  the  slaughter  of  Gracchus'  friends  and  followers  to  go  on 
unrestrained,  the  Senate  had  voted  the  "  Senatus  consultum  ultimum"  which,  in 
effect,  made  Opimius  dictator. 


PAGE  130       CAIUS    GRACCHUS          ACT  IV 

Drus.:  [aside] 

Like  son,  like  sire: — they  're  warriors  of  the 
couch. 

[to  Calpio] 

Thou  lovest  thy  master,  Calpio? 
Calp.: 

As  a  slave  should,  sir. 
Drus.: 

Thy  words  are  Delphic. 
Calp.: 

My  heart  is  Roman,  sir. 

[DRUSUS  waves  CALPIO  away;  CALPIO 
retreats] 
[aside] 

I  'm  in  his  mind;  I  wish  I  were  without  it. 
This  man  thinks  hurtfully:  his  servile  spirit 
Bristles  against  the  serving  slave.  I  '11  hug  his 

shadow, 
Until  I  learn  the  target  of  his  humor. 

[Exit  CALPIO.  Revelers  pass,  dancing, 
etc.  Enter  slave,  bearing  wine-jug] 
Drus.: 

Hast  seen  our  lady  Lydia? 
Slave: 

She  comes. 
[Enter  LYDIA;  exit  slave] 
Drus.: 

Divine! 
Lyd.: 

I  'm  wearied. 
Drus.: 

Shouldst  have  stayed  to  see 
The  battle  'twixt  our  host  and  Gracchus'  wife. 
Lyd.: 

Whose  oak? 
Drus.: 

The  issue  lies  in  high  suspense. 
Lyd.: 

That 's  much  to  do  for  just  one  novel  thrill! 


ACT  IV          CAIUS    GRACCHUS       PAGE  131 

Drus.: 

The  common  drudge  for  bread,  and  what  small 

pleasures 
The  grudging  gods  may  grant  them  as  rare 

treasures 

Men  freed  from  lives  so  profitless,  the  while, 
Moil,  in  their  turn,  to  earn  some  woman's 

smile, 
Or   for   new   thrills,  or  some  strange  means 

to  urge 

Their  flaccid  nerves  to  quiver  and  to  surge. 
For  me — I  'd  rather  kiss  on  practised  lips, 
And  seek  my  feast  of  honey  where  it  freely 
drips. 

[Embraces  LYDIA] 
Come,  drink — 

[Shrieks,  sound  of  arms  clashing  out 
side] 
Lyd.:  [waves  aside  cup] 

The  wine  is  poor.  It  hath  no  savor  .  .  . 

Those  plebs  die  much  too  loudly 

[DRUSUS  and  LYDIA  struggle  as   he 
endeavors  to  force  her  to  drink] 
Drus.: 

What!  Barest  refuse? 
Ho,  ho,  there,  King  of  Bumpers!  Sighs  and 

gloom ! 

Here  's  one  who  will  not  drink!  Pronounce  her 
doom! 

[Laughter,  cries  of  revelers.  Enter  Ru- 
TILIUS] 
Rut.: 

Drink!  Drink!  And  who  to  any  cup  saith 

"  nay," 

Is  sealed  a  poor  plebeian  thing  this  day! 
Lyd.: 

Plebeian — I?  Thou  liest, — pig-eyed  lout! 
I  am  the  most  patrician  of  you  all! 
Gaze  well  at  me,  if  but  thy  shifty  orb 
Can  gather  in  its  narrow  circle  quite 
The  meaning  of  my  festive,  gleaming  whole 


PAGE  132       CAIUS    GRACCHUS          ACT  IV 

These  are  my  hands.  Look  close!  Canst  see, 

in  anywise, 
The  marks  of  toil  on  them?  No!  None!  Mine 

arms 
Are    shapely,    as    my    form:    and  my  white 

sheathe, 

Is  smoother  than  the  rarest  silken  webs 
The   wandering  hucksters  bring  us  from  the 

fabled  lands. 
My  brow  is  as  a  babe's.  My  slaves  attend 

each  whim 

That  fancy  breeds,  before  it  hath  full  birth. 
My  dwelling,  in  a  garden  by  a  stream, 
Gleams  softly,  like  some  jewel  in  its  velvet 

case. 
Not   like   some   common  bride  am  I, — poor 

cheated  maid, — 

Who,  once  conveyed  to  nuptial  joys  by  torch- 
armed  youths, 

Discards  her  tawny  slippers,  and  her  belt, 
Thereafter  to  live  on  a  serf,  the  sole 
Possession  of  one  man:  to  earn  from  him 
The  piteous  dole  of  all  she  craves  he  deigns 

to  give. 

Aye,  doth  she  earn  it:  or  in  household  tasks, 
Or  in  forbearance  of  her  master's  faults, 
Or  on  the  bed  of  pain,  to  bear  him  squalling 

heirs. 

Not  such  my  life!  For  I  am  highly  placed! 
A  thousand  sweat,  that  one  patrician  man 
May  have  his  ease.  A  score  of  those  who  have 
Such  thousands,  bring  their  sorted  hoards  to 

me, 
To  earn  my  measured  smiles  for  but  a  single 

hour ! 

Patrician  men  are  choice  in  those  with  whom 
They  freely  join  in  privy  intercourse; 
Yet  am  I  censor  more  precise  of  who 
May  pass  my  ostium,  and  press  my  fevered 

couch. 


ACT  IV          CAIUS    GRACCHUS       PAGE  133 

The  Pontifex,  flamines,  augurs — aye — 
The  Consuls,  Praetors,  Quaestors  and  those 

few 

Of  magistrates,  who  boast  the  chair;  but  those 
Have   sobbed  their  eager  passion  on  these 

breasts, 

When  they  have  rightly  won  my  favoring  nod. 
I  stalk  abroad  disdainful,  and  my  mien 
Is  one  of  high  concern  for  far-off  things. 
I  voice  my  love  for  who  may  serve  my  needs 
As  doth  the  candidate  patrician,  who, 
Out  on  the  Forum,  seeks  the  dangling  votes 
Of  gaping  artisans,  and  odorous  men 
Of  dirty  trades,  whom  all  his  soul  and  heart 
Abhor,  e'en  while  he  woos,  with  smiling  lips 

and  eyes. 
The  priests,  with  whom  I  join  in  sprightly 

sport, 

And  gay  derision  of  the  various  gods, 
And  goddesses,  I  greet  with  solemn  poses 
At  shrines.  The  toiling  mob,  from  which  I 

spring, 

By  common  ancestry  with  all,  I  loathe. 
I  lie  to  all  with  equal  face.  I  take 
What  is  not  mine,  as  favor  unto  him 
Who 's  plundered  by  me.   That  is  hard  to 

learn. 

And  if,  perchance,  a  lack-wit,  here  or  there, 
Presumes  to  bring  to  bear  against  me,  or 
My  ownings,  any  scribbling  in  the  code, 
Like  that  of  all  patricians  is  my  privilege 
To  whisper  my  distress  into  the  ear 
Of  some  high  magistrate,  who  points,  in  fat- 

jowled  words, 

To  the  rash  suitor,  every  congruous  law, 
Which  ever  causes  me  to  win,  and  him, 

—to  lose. 

And  is  not  this  the  final  proof  that  I 
Am  goddess  of  patricians,  and  their  very  soul? 
[Laughter,  applause,  by  revelers] 


PAGE  134       CAIUS    GRACCHUS          ACT  IV 

Drus.: 

Hail!  Goddess  of  patricians!  Three  times  hail! 

[Enter  OPIMITJS,  FANNIUS,  PONTIFEX, 
CALPIO,  a  number  of  Senators,  etc. 
All,  except  OPIMITJS,  FANNIUS,  PON 
TIFEX,  and  CALPIO,  join  the  revelers] 

Fann.: 

My  very  welcome  friends  : — within  these  walls 
Find  relaxation  from  the  day's  events. 

Opim.: 

Thy  words  are  grateful. 

Pont.: 

Here  is  gay  repose. 

[Commotion,  sounds  of  arms.  Shouts 
of  "  Halt!  Halt!  "  Enter  plebeian,  run 
ning,  pursued  by  armed  men.  Throws 
himself  at  FANNIUS'  feet] 

Pleb.: 

My  lord!  My  lord! 
Fann.: 

What  means  this  turbulence? 
Pleb.: 

They  seek  to  slay  me,  who  have  done  no  ill! 
Fann.: 

Who  art  thou? 
Pleb.: 

But  a  Roman  citizen, 

Whom,  through  a  grievous  and  unjust  mistake, 
The  soldiers  deem  one  of  the  Gracchus'  men. 
Fann.: 

Which  thou  art  not? 
Pleb.: 

I  swear  it!  Oh,  I  swear! 
By  all  the  gathered  gods!  I  am  for  thee,  and 

thine, 

And  all  against  that  sacrilegious  rogue! 
Recall!  I  swayed  the  throng  for  thee  this 

morning ! 

Wherefore,  I  Ve  raced  to  gain  thy  sheltering 
roof. 


ACT  IV          CAIUS    GRACCHUS       PAGE  135 

Faun.: 

So?  Stand — 

[Plebeian  rises,  slowly] 
Drus.: 

What  ho — whom  have  we  here?  It  is — 
Yea!  So  it  is!  The  embassy!  My  lord — 
Fann.: 

Aye,  now  I  know  him.  'T  is  the  filthy  swine 
Who  spurned  my  proffered  bribe. 
Pont.: 

Refused  thy  bribe? 
Fann.: 

He  did.  I  held  him  out  ten  silver  coins, 
And  asked  him  but  to  cry  me  "  Hail!  " 
Pont.: 

And  he? 
Fann.: 

Refused  me. 
Pont.: 

O,  the  godless  man! 
Pleb.:  [kneeling] 

Sweet  lord, — 
That  was  before  that  murderous  wretch — that 

crime-sink 

Called  Gracchus — had  murdered  so  wickedly : 
Since  when,  I've  shouted:  "Death  to  Grac 
chus,  friends!  " 

And  have  urged  on  all  good  men  to  do  like 
wise! 
Fann.: 

Hast  altered  in  thy  mind? 
Pleb.: 

Yea,  that  I  have: 

For,  when  I  pondered  on  that  felon's  vileness — 
Fann.: 

Ah — so — didst  ponder? 
Pleb.: 

That  I  did,  my  lord. 
Fann.: 

And  didst  thy  noddle  agitate  with  thought? 


PAGE  136       CAIUS    GRACCHUS          ACT  IV 

Pleb.: 

Lord, — fully  :  as  the  dread  event  required. 

Fann. : 

Then  there  's  thy  fault!  Plebeians  should  not 

think! 

Their  business  is  to  labor,  and  be  thankful 
That  we,  who  're  set  far  over  them,  indulge 
Their  hunger  of  some  kindness,  now  and  then. 

[Signs   to   guards   with   hand,   thumb 
turned  upward] 

Go,  fix  this  fellow  so  he  '11  think  no  more. 

[Guards  drag  plebeian  outward] 
Pont.: 

Each   god   who  sits  on  high,  feels   horror's 
shrink, 

At  sight  of  these  plebeian  dogs  who  think! 
Pleb.: 

But  I  assert  my  loyalty,  my  lord, 

And  "  Hail  to  Fannius! "  shall  cry  right  well! 
Fann.: 

I  trust  thee.  Go!  Go  make  that  noise  in  hell! 
Pleb.: 

Lord  Consul!  Law!  Law!  Justice!  Give  me  law! 

I  am  a  Roman!  Give  me  Roman  law! 

[Throws  himself  at  OPIMIUS'  feet.  En 
ter  RUTILIUS] 
Rut.: 

What  show  is  here? 
Drus.: 

A  cockroach,  fighting  gods! 
Opim.: 

What  is  thy  prayer? 
Pleb.: 

I  am  condemned  untried ! 
I  am  unheard!  I  call  for  jurors,  trial! 
I  am  a  Roman! 
Opim.: 

Right!  Shalt  have  them  all! 


ACT  IV          CAIUS    GRACCHUS       PAGE  137 

Fann.: 

My  lord ! 
Pleb.: 

O  gods ! 
Drus.: 

What? 
Opim.: 

I  have  said.  The  law 

Saith  plainly  there  shall  be  a  full  account 
Of  charge  and  answer,  trial  and  verdict,  and 
Of  sentence, — execution, — all  in  turn. 
He  shall  have  every  form  of  this.  He  must! 
Ho!  Scribe! 

[Scribe  approaches,  with  tablets] 

Make  note  that  a  full  history 
Be  made,  in  ancient  form,  and  in  the  ordered 

place, 

Of  all  proceedings,  questions,  answers,  yea — 
Of  learned  pleas  on  this  small  scum's  behalf, 
And — what  hath  been  decreed. 
Fann.: 

Which  is? 
Opim.: 

His  death. 
[to  plebeian] 
Now — die  content;  the  scrolls  will  show  thy 

trial 

In  ceremony,  as  the  laws  require. 
Rut.: 

There  's  grace! 
Pleb.: 

Have  mercy,  lords!  Forgive! 
Opim.: 

What  crime? 
Pleb.: 

I  know  not. 
Opim.: 

Lying  cur!  Go  die!  Go  die! 

[Guards  start  to  drag  pleb.  outward] 


PAGE  138       CAIUS    GRACCHUS          ACT  IV 

Pleb.: 

Men!   Romans!  Brothers!   Do  not  do  their 

will— 
These    mighty    lords — who,    though    on    me 

today, 

Tomorrow  will  turn  on  yourselves  with  death ! 
O  Gracchus,  now  I  understand!  These  are 
The  private  emperors!  Stay,  Romans!  Stay! 
They're   emperors!   They're   private   kings! 

Stay!  Stay! 
Pont.: 

That  noise! 
Drus.: 

That  rebel  noise ! 
Opim.: 

Abate  that  noise! 

[Exit  plebeian,  dragged  by  guards.  He 
continues  to  shout:  "  These  are  the 
emperors!  They  're  private  kings!  Stay! 
Brothers!  Stay!  They  're  private  kings! 
Stay!  Stay!  Stay!  "  Muffled  cry:  "  So, 
ho!  "  followed  by  a  thud,  is  heard] 
Faun.: 

Well  sped!  I  feared,  a  moment,  wouldst  relent. 
Opim.: 

The  hour  sounds  vengeance:  mercy  were  ill 

spent. 
Rut.: 

Why,  Calpio,  do  commons  wreak  our  will 
On  their  own  kind,  whenever  we  command? 
Calp.: 

Because  a  zany  's  born  to  be  a  dolt. 
Rut.: 

Thy  wisdom  's  not  profound. 
Calp.: 

Nor  is  an  ass. 
If  these  dull  plebs  had  minds  with  which  to 

think, 

Not  wine,  but  sweat,   would  be  patricians' 
drink. 


ACT  IV          CAIUS    GRACCHUS       PAGE  139 

Rut.: 

But  there  's  the  merchant  clan:  they  know, 

— they  see — 

If  they  should  rise  to  war — 
Calp.: 

That  will  not  be. 
Rut.: 

Thou  say'st? 
Calp.: 

I  do. 
Rut.: 

But  why? 
Calp.: 

Because  they  're  smug. 
They  ache  to  be  superior:  they  crave 
To  glow  a  bit — e'en  though  with  but  a  pale 
Reflection  of  what  streams  from  those  on  high. 
The  low  make  boots :  patricians  wear  them;  but 
The  'twixt-caste  licks  them. 
Rut.: 

lo!  That 's  straight  talk! 
[Enter  Guard] 
Guard:  [to  Opimius] 
My  lord — 
Opim.: 

Speak. 
Guard: 

Fulvius'  young  son  returns 
As  legate,  saying  he  is  here  to  beg  thee 
For  truce,  and  parley. 
Opim.: 

What?  Again? 
Guard: 

Again. 
Opim.: 

This  passes  credence!  Impudence!  Just  that! 
I  said  "No!"  once;  yet — see — he  dares  re 
turn; 

Give  answer — stay !  We  '11  send  our  answer 
back 


PAGE  140       C  A I U  S    GRACCHUS          ACT  IV 

By  other  lips.  His  own,  that  dared  to  bring 
This  message  to  me  twice,  shall  never  move 

again. 

I'm  understood? 
Guard: 

Lord — 't  is  but  a  purple-togaed  boy — 
A  stripling. 
Opim.: 

What!  Wouldst  dare? 
Guard: 

Lord,  I  obey. 
Opim.: 

That 's  well. 

[Exit  Guard] 

Septimuleius :  thou  hast  been 
A  friend  of  Gracchus? 

[SEPTIMULEIUS  moves  forward,  bows] 
Sept.: 

Friend?  No, — not  a  friend. 
He  was  distasteful  to  me,  ever.  I  was 
A  mere  acquaintance — hardly  that — just  one 
Who  nods  in  passing — one  who  barely  knows — 
Opim.: 

Quite  so.  Now  take  mine  answer  to  his  camp. 

The  Senate,  and  Rome's  rulers,  do  not  hold 

Or  parley,  or  debate,  with  rebels! 

What!  Shall  the  sacredness  of  High  Estate, 

Of  all  authority,  and  rightful  power, 

Be  smirched  by  intercourse  with  such  low 

things, 
Such  murderous  thugs,  thieves,  robbers,  rav- 

ishers, 

Pledged  enemies  of  order  and  of  state, 
As  ye,  foul  gutter-spawn — the  blood-marked 

foes  of  all, 

Both  gods  and  men?  Our  honor  answers:  No! 
We  '11  none  of  you,  except  you  're  on  your 

knees, 
With  manacles  on  hands,   and  yokes  upon 

your  necks! 


AcTlV          CAIUS    GRACCHUS       PAGE  141 

Fann.: 

That  sounds  magnificent! 
Rut.: 

And  more  : — 't  is  true ! 
Boyish  Voice:  [without] 

Ye  dare  not!  I  am  sacred!  I  am  here 
As  herald!  O,  ye  dare  not!  Murder!  Oh! 

[Shriek] 
Sept.: 

But  if  they  do  to  me  as  thou  hast  done  to 

theirs, 

And  violate  my  envoy's  aegis — what  then? 
Opim.: 

That  can  not  be.  'T  is  only  the  exalted, 
And  those  of  powerful  station  who  've  the  gift 

to  work 
Their  pleasing  will,  foregoing  the  things  called 

laws. 

The  common  hold  these  sacred  in  their  souls, — 
As  is  but  right.  Morality  must  live!  Go! 
Art  safe ! 
Sept.: 

I  hope  so. 
Opim.: 

I  have  told  thee.  Go! 

[Exit  SEPTIMULEIUS.  OPIMIUS  turns  to 
PONTIFEX] 

The  toil  of  ruling  strains  the  burdened  back. 
Pont.: 

Care  weights  the  crown  with  lead.  To-night, 

mayhap, 

The  Paphian  dame  will  grant  me  melting  ease. 
Fann.: 

How,  now — and  have  the  vestals  been  unkind? 
Pont.: 

Those  pale  lank  shadows?  Gods!  What  taste 
less  joying! 

Their  passions  strive  with  fears;  they  yield  to 
weep; 


PAGE  142       CAIUS    GRACCHUS          ACT  IV 

And  make  a  nuptial  night  a  fearsome  thing 
Of  hah5  fulfilled  desires.  Now,  lead  me  on 
To  frank  delight. 
Rut.: 

This  is  its  temple!  Come! 

[PONTIFEX   and   RUTILIUS   mix   with 
revelers) 
Opim.:  [to  Lydia] 

*T  is  Lydia!  Hail  enchantress! 
Lyd.: 

Consul,  thine! 
Opim.: 

Would  that  the  Fates  endowed  me  with  a  fair, 
Who  had  thisLydia's  charms,  and  grace,  and  air. 

[DRUSUS  leaves  couch,  and  joins  FAN- 
NIUS  and  OPIMIUS] 
Drus.: 

Shouldst  have  a  servant  who  will  tend  thy 

wants, 
As  hath  our  Fannius,  in  Calpio. 

Calp.:  [aside] 

My  name  hath  reached  his  tongue! 

[Edges  over  behind  curtain,  near  FAN 
NIUS,  OPIMIDS,  and  DRUSUS] 
Fann.: 

Aye — Calpio  serves  me  well. 
Drus.: 

Dost  trust  him — much? 
Fann.: 

He  is  my  faithful  slave. 
Drus.: 

He  is  a  ghost. 
Fann.: 

A  ghost? 
Drus.: 

Naught  else,  my  friend: 
The  ghost  of  Caius  Gracchus'  arm. 
Opim.: 

I  'm  dull. 


ACT  IV          CAIUS    GRACCHUS       PAGE  143 

Drus.: 

He  struck  the  blow  that  Gracchus'  arm  did 

not, 
But  which  half  Rome  will  swear  he  did.  For 

me, — 

I  like  not  ghosts. 
Fann.: 

Thy  words  are  freighted  full 
With  ominous  portent. 
Opim.: 

Speak  thy  meaning  plain. 
Drus.: 

There  's  sometimes  service  that  creates  a  debt 
Too  great  for  man  to  owe. 
Fann.: 

I  can  reward — 
Drus.: 

Hast  such  reward,  that,  of  its  biting  force, 
The  slave's  remembrance  will  be  mined,  and 

cleared, 

Of  all  its  lode  of  dubious  service  done  for  thee? 
Fann.: 

Were  he  to  dare  to  treason — 
Drus.: 

'T  is  not  well 

To  wait  for  a  polluted  spot  to  waft 
Mephitic  air  abroad,  ere  'tis  removed. 
Opim.: 

Thy    mind   inclines   to   stilly    tongues,    and 

eyes 

That,  having  seen  too  much,  see  on  no  more? 
Drus.: 

Hast  said. 

Fann.:  [after  slight  pause] 

But  I  shall  miss  him,  quite.  He  is 
A  Sisyphus — that  slave.  His  nimble  wit — 
Drus.: 

May  some  day  turn  to  plague  thee.  Have  it 
done. 


PAGE  144       CAIUS    GRACCHUS          ACT  IV 

Fann.: 

So  shall  it  be;  but  swift,  and  unannounced. 
His  faith  hath  earned  him  that  flip  of  thought- 
fulness. 

The  fear  of  hurt  to  come  gives  greater  pain 
Than  does  the  stroke  itself,  laid  on  amain. 
Deem  Calpio  a  corpse. 
Opim.: 

Now,  let 's  to  sport. 
There  are  some  cheerful  ladies  here,  I  see? 

[Enter  RUTILIUS] 
Fann.: 

Rutilius  shall  tell  thee  of  their  kinds 
Of  various  perfections. 
Rut.: 

I '11  tell,— and  show! 

This  way,  my  lord :  there  are  some  sprightly  ones, 
Whose  frivoling  turns  greying  flesh  to  rosy  air. 
Ho!  Slaves!  Falernian  jugs! 

[OpiMiys  and  FANNIUS  walk  off.  DRU- 
sus  joins  LYDIA,  and  they  walk  off. 
CALPIO  emerges  from  behind  curtain. 
PORTINTJS,  blood-spattered,  GRACCHUS' 
sword  hanging  at  side,  crawls  in 
through  window-casement  in  rear  of 
embrasure;  hides  behind  one  of  its 
forward  columns.  RUTILIUS  motions  to 
CALPIO] 

[aside,  to  Calpio] 

Guard  well  my  little  maid! 

Calp.:  [aside,  to  Rutilius] 

I  '11  squat  upon  my  haunches,  like  a  dog,  sir, 
And  bark  away  intruders. 

[Exit  RUTILIUS.  Laughter,  cries  of  rev 
elers] 
Calp.: 

So,  I  die, 

That  these,  my  masters,  may  the  easier  lie? 
[Shrieks,  clash  of  arms,  outside] 


ACT  IV          CAIUS    GRACCHUS       PAGE  145 

I  die    as    he    whose    fate    my    point-thrust 

sealed; 

And  in  an  hour,  beyond  the  voiceless  water, 
Make  my  account  for  slain  Antyllius? 
What  shrieked   that  Roman?   "  Do  not  do 

their  will, 

These  private  emperors,  these  private  kings!  " 
He    was    a    prophet,    then,    that    squirming 

Roman  pleb? 

So  shall  I  die? — As  does  some  silly  sheep, 
That  holds  its  neck  out  for  the  slaughtering 

blade? 

Now,  by  the  gods, — a  slave  would  die  like  that; 
But  I — I  'm  slave  no  more.  I  '11  be  a  man, 
And  die,  mine  arms  in  hand,  as  warriors  die; 
Or, — if  my  senses  serve, — then  those  at  play. 

[Approaches  LICINIA.  PORTINUS  creeps 
around  column,  so  as  to  be  in  CALPIO'S 
rear;  crouches,  and  makes  as  if  to 
spring  on  him] 

Fair  madam — 
Lie.: 

Hence, — foul  slave! 
Calp.: 

Be  not  so  rash. 
Lie.: 

'T  was  thou  enticed  me  from  my  guarded  home 
By  thy  deceitful,  perjured  tale  of  him — 
My  Caius — saying  that  he  bid  me  thence: 
And  didst  conduct  me  to  this  horror — thou — 
Calp.: 

I  served  a  master  whom  I  'd  serve  no  more. 
Who  lays  a  path,  knows  well  its  windings 

back. 
Belike,  I  '11  bring  thee  cure,  who  brought  thee 

ill. 

Thy  father  hath  some  power? 
Lie.: 

In  his  walls, 
Security  awaits  me. 


PAGE  146       CAIUS    GRACCHUS          ACT  IV 

Calp.: 

And  if  I 

Should  bring  thee  thither? 
Lie.: 

Art  in  earnest? 
Calp.: 

Aye, 

As  I  have  never  been  in  all  my  days. 
Lie.: 

Shalt  have  asylum. 
Calp.: 

Swear  it  by  the  god 

Thou  hallo  west  supreme  within  thy  soul; 
And  that  I  '11  have  the  gold,  and  needful  arti 
fice,  to  flee. 

There  is  a  far-off  air  I  long  to  breathe — 
A  sky  I  yearn  to  see  ....  There  is  a  distant 

strand 

That  calls  and  draws  me  .  .  .  Ah — my  native 
^  land!  .... 
Swear,  lady :  and  I  '11  aid  thee — with  wit,  and 

heart,  and  hand! 
Lie.: 

I  swear  it  by  mine  husband's  name! 
Calp.: 

Enough! 
I  serve  thee  on  that  score. 

[Cuts    her    bonds.    Enter    RUTILIUS, 
main  setting] 
Rut.: 

I  '11  steal  away, 

And  take  possession  of  my  lovely  maid; 
I  '11  wrest  from  her  the  pleasure  she  hath  gain 
said. 
O  ecstacy ! 

[Laughter  and  shouts  of  revelers.  RU 
TILIUS  enters  embrasure,  where  CAL- 
PIO  is  removing  LICINIA'S  bonds] 

Ha,  slave!  How  now?  What 's  this? 


ACT  IV          CAIUS    GRACCHUS       PAGE  147 

Lie.: 

Dear  Juno,  save! 

[PORTINUS  springs,  landing  on  RUTIL- 
ITTS'  back,  arms  clasped  about  his  neck. 
After  an  instant  of  astonished  pause, 
CALPIO  runs  forward  and  draws  sword, 
hanging  in  its  scabbard,  at  PORTINUS' 
side] 

Calp.: 

Strike  in  the  throat!    So   silence   wins   with 
death! 

[Stabs  RUTILIUS,  who  falls] 

Lie.: 

Portinus ! 
Port.: 

Helia — where — 
Calp.: 

What— 
Port.: 

She  's  here 
in  Fannius'  house.  The  soldier  gave  his  name. 
The  daughter  of  Antyllius!  Where?  Where? 
Calp.: 

In  yon  cubiculum,  this  carrion 
Had  stored  the  maid  against  his  pleasure's  use. 
Port.: 

Unharmed? 
Calp.: 

Unharmed. 
Port.: 

I  '11  go— 
Calp.: 

Await  me  here ! 

I  '11  forge  her  passage  with  a  jibe,  whom  thou 
Couldst  not  withdraw  unhelped  by  half  of 
Rome. 

[Exit  CALPIO,  to  side  of  embrasure] 

Lie.: 

Good  friend — 


PAGE148       CAIUS    GRACCHUS          ACT  IV 

Port.:  [kneels,  kisses  her  hand] 

Fair  mistress  .... 
Lie.: 

News  of  him? 
Port.:  [makes  gesture  of  grief] 

Eheu! 
Lie.: 

The  world  is  dead  ....  That  men  should 
say  that  there  are  gods! 

[LiciNiA  covers  her  face  with  mantle. 
PORTINUS  disengages  sword,  wipes  it, 
presents  it  to  LICINIA] 

Port.: 

The  master's,  lady. 

Lie.:  [kisses  sword,  hands  it  back  to  Portinus] 

Wear  it  nobly,  thou. 

[PORTINUS  takes  sword,  kisses  the  blade. 
Enter  CALPIO  at  side  of  embrasure, 
with  HELIA;  she  starts  to  run  to  POR 
TINUS;  halts;  LICINIA  holds  out  her 
arms;  HELIA  goes  to  her  embrace] 

Lie.:  [points  to  Portinus] 

He  's  worthy,  faithful. 
Port.: 

Helia!  My  love! 

[Embraces  HELIA] 

Calp.:  [takes  sword  from  Portinus] 

Good  sickle!  Prince  of  harvesters! 

Patricians  die! 
They  die  as  dead  as  commons;  their  evil  use 

dies  with  them  ..... 
So  must  it  ever  be  when  laws  are  vain, 
And  justice  is  the  supple  bawd  of  wealth: 
The    slave   will    try    those    who    oppress,   at 

will, 


ACT  IV          CAIUS    GRACCHUS       PAGE  149 

Call  hunger  for  his  witness,  and  with  arm 
Made  steadfast  by  its  leanness,  strike  to  win! 
[Exeunt  CALPIO,  LICINIA,  HELIA,  POR- 

TINUS] 

Voice:  [without] 

Halt !  Stand ! 

Calp.:  [without] 

I  'm  Calpio,  who  move  to  do 
Our  lord's  behest. 

Voice:  [without] 

O — thou? — Pass  on.  But  these? 

Calp.:  [without] 

With  me;  time  presses. 

Voice:  [without] 

Pass.  All 's  well. 

Calp.:  [without] 

Most  well. 

[Enter  DRUSUS,  LYDIA] 

Drus.: 

Ho,  King  of  Wine!  We  wait  thee! 

Lyd.: 

He  hath  slunk  away 
To  joust  with  his  unwilling  virgin. 

Drus.: 

So? 

By  Bacchus!  Our  becrowned  demeans  him  ill 
To  hie  off  to  his  pleasures,  ere  the  folk 
Have  had  his  bounty's  overflowing  liquid  fill. 

[Laughter,  cries  by  revelers :  "  The  King 
of  Wine!  Ho,  ho,  the  King  of  Wine!  "] 

I  go  to  seek  the  amorous  monarch,  though 
I  find  him  on  his  nuptial  couch. 


PAGE  150       CAIUS    GRACCHUS          ACT  IV 

Lyd.: 

I  trow, 
I  '11;  join  thee  in  the  pilgrimage,  good  sir. 

[Laughter,  cries  of  revelers.  DRUSUS 
and  LYDIA  enter  embrasure] 
Drus.: 

Pshaw,  to  what  lowly  state  our  King  is  sunk! 
[Touches  body  with  foot] 

The  nasty  youngster  's  very,  very  drunk. 

Lyd.:  [bends  over  corpse,  rises] 

His  sleep  is  dreamless  ....  He  will  dream 

no  more  .... 
Drus.: 

Thine  eye  is  sharp  .  .  .  Here  's  death,  and 

puzzling  doubt. 
Thought,     motion,     power,     station  : — flown 

through  a  pin-prick; 
What 's  left — a  horrible  stranger!  .... 
How?  When?  By  whose  clenched  hand?  .... 

The  ordered  round 
Of  life  in  this  great  mansion  checks  its  settled 

race; 
And,  in  an  instant,  takes  new  course.  Here  's 

woe 

For  Fannius.  He  loses.   Elsewhere,  someone 
May  gain  ....  A  moment  more,  and  all  the 

joy 
That  now  seethes  blithely  in  yon  room,  will 

chill, 

And  startled  silence  reign  there  in  its  stead. 
Thus,  while  we  play,  and  plan,  and  chouse, 

and  shout, 
Death  breathes  its  chill,  and  puts  us  all  to 

rout. 

Lyd.: 

His  gore  ....  See  how  it  creeps  ....  I 
fear!  .       ,  I  fear!  . 


ACT  IV          CAIUS    GRACCHUS       PAGE  151 

Drus.: 

Tis  time  t'  alarm!  Ho!  Murder!  Murder1 

Murder! 
Rutilius  is  slain!  Murder!  Murder! 

[Shouts  by  revelers:  "  Murder!  Rutilius 
slain!  "    Followed  by  complete  silence. 
Enter  FANNIUS,  followed  by  OPIMIUS, 
PONTIFEX,  Senators,  etc.] 
Farm.: 

What— did— I— hear? 

Curtain 


ACTV 

SCENE  FIRST— Grove  of  the  Furies* 

[Night.  Outlines  of  Rome  in  back 
ground.  The  action  takes  place  in 
semi-obscurity.  After  the  exit  of  ALEC- 
TA  and  MEGAERA,**  torch-lights  gleam 
in  the  distance  at  various  points,  con 
tinually  showing  closer.  Sound  of  wail 
ing  wind] 

A  lee.: 

A-ee!  The  air  grows  rank! 
Meg.: 

Hai!  Some  one  comes 
Who  wafts  a  strange,  new  taint,  that  moves 

me  ill. 

He  's  honest,  and  his  body  breathes  out  love. 
O  noxious  smell! 
Alec.: 

It  makes  my  claws  to  droop. 
Meg.: 

There  's  one  with  him  who  serves,  who  holds 

no  envy 

Within  his  breast.  Pah!  Pah! 
A  lee.: 

They  seek  a  covert. 
Meg.: 

It  is  denied !  Denied ! 


*  According  to  some  authorities  :  Grove  of  Furina. 
**  The  Furies  are  conceived  as  follows  : — 

ALECTA  : — bent ;  shriveled  ;  Medusa-haired  ;  voice  is  cracked,  whining.  She 
is  constantly  in  motion. 

MEGAERA  : — wan ;  sparse  black  hair  falling  over  her  face ;  voice  shrill  and 
mocking. 

TISIPHONE  :— tall ;  eyes  fixed,  and  staring ;    scarlet  hair,  streaming  back  ; 
voice  sonorous  and  even-toned. 


PAGE  154       CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  V 

Alec.: 

I  '11  send  a  pregnant  bitch, 
And  two  moist  snakes,  across  their  paths.  My 
welcome ! 

Meg.: 

And  mine !  Two  honest  men !  Two  battling  foes ! 
By  those  great  globules  of  Uranus 's  blood 
That  gave  us  birth  : — I  loathe  an  honest  man ! 

Alec.: 

By  leaf  and  twig,  by  branch  and  limb,  and 

then, 

By  trunk  and  root,  make  end  of  honest  men, 
Of  honest  wills,  of  honest  heads  and  eyes! 

Meg.: 

Hai-hai,  I  like  the  quarrelous  pate.  I  love 
The  silly,  vapid  eye,  or  that  of  lust; 
The  muddy,  flexless  harlot's,  or  the  small 
And  knowing,  crafty  eye,  or  that  which  stares 
As  does  the  fish's  cold  and  baleful  ball; 
The  vulgar,  ignorant,  and  insolent, 
Or  the  evasive,  roving,  furtive,  or 
The  empty  eye,  or  that  which  carries  in  its 

depth 

Sharp,  sidling  cunning,  hot  desire,  or  else 
The  crouching  form  of  Hatred,  wound  and 

coiled, 

And  ready  for  the  striking  leap  that  brings 
Loud   Clamor,   sobbing   Grief,   Despair,   and 
wailing  dirge. 

Alec.: 

I  fear  the  eye :  it  shows  too  readily 
The  thought  behind,  to  every  learned  gaze. 
It  is  a  traitorous  thing — that  shining  round: 
Some  day,  mayhap,  these  mortals  will  attain 
To  knowledge  of  its  story:  men  will  look 
Into  each  others'  eyes  to  seek  therein 
For  love,  and  kindliness,  and  pity,  or 
The  Light  of  Reason.  A-ee — the  evil  hour! 

Meg.: 

But  so  I  've  taught  their  visions,  that  they  balk 


ACTV  CAIUS    GRACCHUS       PAGE  155 

To  read  its  tale,  or,  at  the  best,  but  see 
Within  each  glistening  orb  what  they  would 

find  there. 

So  do  they  gloat  on  stalwart  frames,  or  those 
Whose  curved  seductions  challenge  their  de 
sires, 

On  rich  habiliments,  and  pompous  airs, 
And  graces  that  but  varnish  villainy. 
They  drink  the  beauty  of  a  female's  hair, 
Or  babble  of  the  straightness  of  a  nose; 
They  sense  a  whitened  skin,  an  arching  brow, 
Two  pouting  lips,  a  blush,  or  rounded  breasts; 
But  never  look  for  what  is  in  the  eye, 
Or — looking — see  not.  I ' ve  denied  them  sight ! 
Hai!  So  is  Misery,  our  hand-maid,  fixed 
The  sucking,  sour  habitant  of  every  human 
home. 

Alec.: 

Observe !  These  two  come  closer !  In  this  copse 

Set  off  to  us,  and  our  obscenities, 

The   Gracchus  and  his  servant  sound  their 

way; 
So  let  us  end  their  strivings  with  this  day! 

Tis.: 

Their  fate  is  sealed  by  greater  hands  than  ours: 
Their  paths  are  ordered  by  the  highest  Powers. 

Alec.: 

But  I  must  have  to  do  with  their  black  doom! 
I  crave  it,  crave  it! 

Meg.: 

Yea — and  so  do  I! 

Alec.: 

Let 's  hence,  and  flap  away  to  work,  to  work ! 

Meg.: 

Hai! — Let's  to  labor!  Let's  to  human  joy! 
Here  let  us  spur  on  greed,  and  there  speed  up 
The  feet  that  tread  on  murder's  errand.  Some 
Shall  I,  with  conjured  hate,  inspire  to  lust 
For  sprawling  limbs,  and  drooping  jaws,  and 
eyes 


PAGE  156       CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  V 

That  gaze  at  nothing  with  a  fixed  surprise. 
Do  thou,  Alecta,  wake  each  abject  thought 
To  envy,  and  its  train  of  meanest  wants; 
So,  both,  we  '11  fan  the  fires  of  deadly  ire, 
And  make  the  Gracchus'  final  anguish  be  more 

dire. 
Alec.: 

Our    sister 's    mute.    Speak,    blood-avenger, 

speak ! 

What  sullen  mood  sits  regnant  on  thy  tongue? 
Tis.: 

I  read  the  portent  of  a  nearing  death 

The  price  of  which  will  waste  mine  arm  of 

strokes. 

Woe,  Rome,  that  banishest  from  out  thy  walls 
The  loving  heart,  and  graspest  hate  instead! 
Woe,  Rome !  Woe,  city  pledged  to  strife !  I  see 
Cadavers  heaped  as  towers  on  thy  ways, 
And  lakes  of  blood,  that  of  my  wrath  shall  well 
To  score  requital  for  the  piteous  jet 
That  soon  makes  crimson  this  most  dismal 

wood  !* 
Alec.: 

A-ee — her  cup  brims  full!  She  hath  no  need 
Of  our  starveling  plots,  to  feed  her  bloody  lust. 
Meg.: 

They  come.  I  droop.  I  faint.  This  plodding 

twain, 
Who  crave  no  vice,  rack  all  my  frame  with 

pain. 

Where  there  's  no  wish,  Denial  sneers  in  vain! 
A  lee.: 

Elsewhere  's  our  prey.  These  freeze  my  limbs. 

Away! 

[Exeunt  ALECTA,  MEGAERA] 


"The  nullification,  by  the  ruling  class,  of  Gracchus'  plan  for  universal  Italian 
suffrage,  finally  resulted  hi  the  Social  War.  (B.  C.  90-88).  Over  200,000  Roman 
lives  were  lost  on  the  battlefields,  before  the  patricians  yielded,  and  permitted  all 
the  allied  Italian  nations  to  have  the  franchise.  In  addition,  this  struggle  cost 
Rome  the  lives  of  some  80,000,  slaughtered  by  Mithridates. 


ACTV  CAIUS    GRACCHUS       PAGE  157 

Tis.: 

Now  brace  thee,  Libra,  for  the  sudden  load, 
Lest,  of  its  shock,  thy  beam  rive  skies  and 
worlds ! 

[TISIPHONE  moves  to  rear.  Enter 
GRACCHUS,  limping,  leaning  on  PHI- 
LOCRATES] 

Gracch.: 

I  can  no  more;  my  flagging  spirit  meets 
The  fagged  flesh,  and  dully  calls  the  halt. 
Here  is  the  end. 
Phil.: 

Nay,  master,  let  me  search 
For  chariot,  or  bearers,  or  some  keep, 
Where  we  may  still  elude  the  hostile  hands. 
Gracch.: 

'Tis  vain.   Didst  note,  in  that  last  house- 
pocked  street? 

While  limping,  I  besought  or  horse,  or  aid: 
The  populace  stood  by,   and  cheered,   and 

laughed, 

And  urged  us  on  to  speed,  as  if  we  were 
Contending  in  the  games.  "  Stir  faster,  thou," 

they  cried, 
"Lest    thy    pursuers    win    the    race!"    and 

shrilled 

Their  pleasure  at  the  show.  So  Roma's  men 
Gave  comfort  to  their  Tribune,  whom  they  'd 

hailed 
Their   chosen   champion   and   love   the   day 

before. 

We  flee  no  more. 
Phil: 

And  do  we  yield? 
Gracch.: 

I  yield; 

But  not  to  the  lust-maddened  pack  that  bays 
On  every  side,  and  slavers  with  the  bubbling 
juice 


PAGE  158       CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  V 

Bred  by  its  taste  of  triumph.  We  '11  pass  on 
Our  broken  mace  to  other  hands. 
Phil: 

We  bend 

Our  steps  to  Rome  and  to  its  magistrates? 
Gracch.: 

Not  I  ....  Not  I  ....  Mankind  vouch 
safes  nor  law, 
Nor  justice,  to  those  rash  who  stake  their 

lives 

To  make  the  reign  of  justice  true  and  firm. 
Nor  ever,  while  the  sovereignty   of  lawless 

gold 
Is  placed  in  private  hands,  for  use  at  private 

whim, 

Will  justice  be.  Such  is  th'  eternal  law: 
Who  have  the  means  to  buy,  find  those  who  '11 

sell. 
Nor  chairs  of  state,  nor  mantles,  change  the 

flesh 
That  craves  for  what  coin  brings,  and  causes 

man, 

The  magistrate,  or  ruler,  to  make  trade 
With  what  his  office  hath  to  give,  for  what, 

in  turn, 

Another  hath  with  which  to  pay.  'T  is  thus 
The  blushing  cloak  of  Justice  serves  to  shield 
The  filthiest  crimes  of  Money;   so   the  fat- 
pursed 

Reap  honor  from  their  villainies.  Ah — no — 
I  shall  not  seek  the  curia,  the  lords, 
The  judges,  senators  and  other  puffy  trash, 
To  be  the  sport  of  solemn-acting  rogues 
Who  ply  the  ghastly  mummery  of  forms  of 

law; 
I  '11  face  far  graver  judges,   whom  clinking 

arguments, 

And  furtive  nudgings,  do  not  sway. 
Phil: 

Those  judges — 


ACTV  CAIUS    GRACCHUS       PAGE  159 

Gracch.: 

Sit  in  the  depths. 
Phil: 

Lord, — not  the  Three? 
Gracch.: 

Yea — so. 
Phil: 

Ah, — lord — see :    Rome   will   wake   to   sense 

at  dawn, 

And  seek  thee  tenderly,  whom  it  hunts  tonight. 
Gracch.: 

Rome?  Rome?  That  name  is  sour  within  my 

mouth.         ' 

The  morning's  penitence  undoes  no  evil  deed 
Wrought  on  the  yesternight. 
Phil: 

The  people  are  misled. 
Gracch.: 

'T  is  they  themselves  who  most  mislead  them 
selves, 

Who  follow  blatant  words,  but  balk  at  thought. 
Phil: 

Then  move,  my  lord,  to  raise  the  slaves  to  arms, 
And  win  by  force? 
Grace  h.: 

No,  no;  not  that;  not  that! 
What 's  gained  by  gore,  is  lost  in  that  same 

flood. 

The  argosy  a  bloody  tide  floats  home, 
Contracts  a  canker  that  soon  pits  her  skin, 
Which  gapes  a  thousand  mouths,  that  suck 

within 
The  horrid  liquor : — turned,  at  last,  her  turbid 

tomb. 

The  Law!  The  Law  alone  can  pave  the  road 
By  which  all  men  may  come  to  better  state; 
And  Law  must  come  by  lawful  ways  in  Rome, 
Where  citizens  may  make  what  laws  they  will. 
Phil: 

The  soldiers  come  still  nearer. 


PAGE  160       CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT¥ 

Gracch.: 

Aye;  their  spears, 

That  earn  the  Roman  cash  with  Roman  blood, 
Will  reach  us  soon.  Pomponius?  Trapped,  too? 
Phil.: 

He  stood  with  good  Licinius,  and  fought, 
To  gain  thee  way.  And  so  they  died. 
Gracch.: 

Loved  friends ! 

I  shall  not  lag  .  .  .  My  ciphered  tale  is  told. 
Yet,  would  I  once  again  enfold  in  these 
Still  sensuous  arms  my  mother's  form,  and 

kiss 
Those  sweet,  firm  lips,  that  taught  me  honor 

as  a  child; 

Ah — once  again  I  would  hold  close  my  lady, 
And  read  love's  ever- wondrous  tale  within  her 

eyes. 
And  him — my  prattling  boy — gods — there  is 

pain! 

Farewell,  good  mother — thou,  Licinia — 
To  thee  a  long  farewell.  Here  is  the  end  .... 
Philocrates — come — be  my  savior,  thou. 
Help!  Free  me  from  my  bondage  with  thy 

sword ! 
Phil: 

Dear  master — I?  Loved  master — I?  Nay !  Nay ! 
Gracch.: 

Thine  arm  is  cunning:  pet  me  with  its  skill. 
So  shall  we  cheat  Rome's  masters   of  their 
sport. 

Voice:  [in  distance] 

Track!  Track! 
Tis.: 

Woe  to  thee,  Rome! 
Grace  h.: 

What  sound  was  that? 
Phil: 

The  hirelings'? 


ACTV  CAIUS    GRACCHUS       PAGE  161 

Grace  h.: 

Nay,  't  was  one  more  near, — a  voice 
Of  sombre  import,  but  of  baffling  pitch. 

Phil.: 

I  heard  none  other. 

Gracch.: 

None,  mayhap,  heard  I. 

Voice:  [nearer] 

Track!  Track! 

Phil.: 

The  pikemen  come! 

Gracch.: 

Strike  swiftly,  friend! 

Phil.: 

Sweet  master:  will  to  live,  and  not  to  die! 

Gracch.: 

I  died  upon  the  Rostra,  on  this  morn. 

Phil: 

Dear  master:  't  is  thy  fancy:  thou  art  whole; 
Speak  not  of  death,  who  still  art  ruddy-hued. 

Gracch. : 

Wouldst  edge  from  death?  Mayhap  it  is  the  gate 
That  leads  to  wider  worlds,  and  worthier  life? 
Who  knows?  For  certain,  none.  Yet  something 

stirs 

In  universal  nature  that  proclaims 
A  seethe  of  things  about  us,  which  our  dull 
And  puny  talents  fail  to  know,  or  even  sense. 
Sounds  wing  we  hear  not;  beauteous  colors 

gleam 

That  pass  our  stare  unnoticed;  and  the  feel 
Of  something  nameless  tells  me,  all  about 
Substantial  motion  fills  the  ambient  space, 
Where    sentient    beings    strive    t'  appointed 
ends. 

Phil.: 

Dost  speak  of  ghosts,  my  lord,  who  flit  around, 
In  aimless  quest  of  mischief,  in  the  void? 
'T  is  those  I  fear, — and  dread  to  share  their 
fate! 


PAGE  162       CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  V 

Gracch.: 

There  are  no  voids.  Each  point  is  planned 

and  laid. 

Nor   are   there   ghosts,   that  flutter,   uncon 
trolled, 

In  wasteful  wandering.  Purpose  fills  all  space, 
The  sense  of  which  mere  mortals  may  not 

know; 
But  I  'm  so  drawn  to  that  most  veiled   of 

secrets, 

That  near  I  'm  joyed  to  know  my  spirit's  eyes 
Will  soon  feed  freely  on  its  shroudless  mean 
ing. 
Phil.: 

So,  art  resolved — 
Gracch.: 

To  reach  that  state  this  day. 
The  narrow  wicket  of  the  grave  's  the  way. 
Phil.: 

The  grave's  a  cold,  and  dank,  and  cheerless  bed; 

0  master, — face  the  hardships,  for  the  sun! 
Gracch.: 

Shall  crumbled  ashes  flame  with  primal  fire, 
Or  wasted  vessels  spout  their  wine  anew? 

[Turns  aside,  and  gazes  upward] 

Eternal  Power,  whose  compelling  mind 
Rules  all  that  is,  and  makes  all  things  to  be: 
Bear  witness  that  I  do  not  die  to  flee 
Untoward  happenings,  or  cruel  wrongs. 
Soughed  but  a  whisper  in  me  that  said  "Live!" 

1  'd  hold  my  life — lead  to  what  stifling  depths 
its  course; 

But,  what 's  my  spirit  yields  to  thy  command 
To  strive  no  more  on  earth;  for  which  I  die. 
The  spark  that  yesterday  blazed  hot  within, 
And  urged  to  combat  in  the  fated  cause, 
Now  glows  no  longer;  what  throbbed  high, 

lies  flat. 
For  which  I  loathe  this  carcass,  feigning  life, 


ACTV  CAIUS    GRACCHUS       PAGE  163 

Whose    every    movement    marks    a    ghastly 

mock 
Of  what  was  once  an  instrument  divine. 

Voice:  [sounding  nearer] 
Track!  Track! 
Phil.: 

They  come!  They  come! 
Tis.: 

Woe,  Rome!  Woe,  Rome! 
Gracch.: 

What  voice  was  that? 
Phil.: 

Our  hunters'. 
Gracch.: 

Nay,  not  so. 

The  air  bends  back  in  shuddering  retreat, 
And  tortures  in  mine  ears  with  eerie  waves, 
That  are  not  born  of  mortal  throat. 
Phil.: 

None  speak 
But  thou,  and  I. 
Gracch.: 

Dost  say?  Mayhap  't  is  so  ... 
Now  strike! 
Phil.: 

To  spill  thy  gore — good  master — nay! 
My  sword  would  turn  within  the  stroke  to 

curse  me! 
Gracch.: 

Though  thine  the  arm,  'tis  Rome's  behest 

that  kills. 
Of  thee  't  is  kindness:  all  the  evil 's  hers. 

Voice:  [growing  nearer] 
Track!  Track! 
Phil.: 

They  come! 
Tis.: 

Woe  grasps  thee,  witless  Rome! 


PAGE  164       CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  V 

Gracch.: 

Again! 

[Turns  toward  TISIPHONE] 

I  see  thee,  glorious  Thing  of  Dread ! 
I  see  thee,  living,  who  should  see  thee  dead! 

[Turns  to  PHILOCRATES] 

Philocrates!  Thy  sword!  Strike!  I  command! 
Phil.: 

Thy  will!  Mine  arm!  O  gods! 

Gracch.:  [covers  his  head  with  cloak] 

Strike! 
Phil.: 

Strike?  I  Ve  struck! 

[Stabs  GRACCHUS,  who  falls.  PHILOC 
RATES  drops  on  his  knees,  head  buried 
in  hands.  Low  roll  of  thunder,  murmur 
of  many  voices,  indistinct  groans,  gross 
laughter,  stifled  shrieks,  which  die 
away  as  TISIPHONE  speaks] 
Tis.: 

Doom  's  struck!  Weep,  Rome!  Drink,  ever- 
thirsting  sword! 

Halt,  Chaos!  Wither  thy  lascivious  reach! 
On  high,  still  Justice  holds  th'  all-weighing 

scales, 

That  sway  to  every  paltry  insect's  drone, 
And  cant  for  gods  and  bondmen  with  like 

speed. 

To  her  stern  service  flies  my  flaming  will! 
Soon  to  that  balance  these,  mine  arms,  will 

sweep 

An  ocean  of  hot  tears,  vast  stores  of  pain, 
High   mountains   of   sleek   corpses,   gathered 

from 

Rome's  darlings  of  soft  ease,  and  from  those 
low 


AcTV  CAITJS    GRACCHUS       PAGE  165 

Who  've  served  their  bloody  ends  in  this  most 

foul  event! 
Such   the   amends   that   shall   make   smooth 

th'  account! 
Tisiphone  hath  spoken!  Note  it,  gods! 

[Exit  TISIPHONE] 
Phil.: 

Sweet  Caius  Gracchus,  parable  of  worth, 
Thou  norm  of  honor,  greatest  of  the  sons 
The  gods  have  given  Rome  : — what  low,  rank 

tale 

Will  rumor  sow  of  thee  in  all  the  days  to  come? 
The  lion  dead,  the  meanest  cur  may  bite; 
The  giant  gyved,  a  dwarf  will  dare  to  fight; 
Let  lightning  fell  the  towering  oak,  and  then — 
'T  is  kindling  wood  for  the  most  sleazy  men. 
When  greatness  crashes,  at  the  Fates'  com 
mands, 

A  myriad  lousy  knaves  clap  eager  hands, 
And  spit  the  venom  of  their  envy's  hate, 
In  base  inventions,  that  their  spites  create, 
From  out  their  vicious  longings,  to  lay  store 
Of  fell  abominations  at  its  door: 
Each  seeks  some  notice  for  his  abject  squeak 
By  tagging  what  was   great    with  his   own 

reek : 
And  finding  listening  ears,  where  Fame  hath 

not, 

Impress  on  shining  lives  their  poison's  blot. 
So,  filthy  tongues,  that  reach  from  sewers' 

slime, 

Proclaim  high  minds  as  ministers  of  crime, 
And  out  of  mouths  unfit  to  breathe  a  name, 
Its  memory  's  consigned  to  lasting  evil  fame. 

Voice:  [nearer] 

Track!  Track!  I  see  the  track! 

Phil.: 

Now  am  I  master  here,  and,  of  my  will, 
Can  choose  my  course  and  order  my  next  step 


PAGE  166       CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  V 

As  gives  me  pleasure.  Caius  Gracchus  dead, 
And   I — his   soldier — living!   O   ye   mooning 

Fates,— 
What    foolish    play    is    here!    See — on    this 

blade— 

'T  is  Caius  Gracchus'  blood  that  slowly  flows! 
Thou  sacred  ichor!  Precious  ruby  drops! 
Mysterious  fluid,  that,  a  moment  since, 
Coursed  love,  and  pregnant  thought  in  yonder 

corpse: 

Come  to  myvheart,  and  mingle  with  its  stream! 
So  may  Philocrates  hold  Gracchus  in  himself, 
And  may  unite  some  atom  of  his  worth 
With  this,  his  humble  servant,  who,  at  once, 
Will  grow  blood-brother  to  this  hero-god! 
I    shared    thy    life : — my    chief,  my  master, 

friend — 

[Stabs  himself] 

O  sacred  joy, — to  share  thine  own  life's  end! 

[Dies. 
Silence] 

Sp.  of  Tiber.: 

Hast  tarried  long,  my  Caius. 

Sp.  of  Caius: 

I  'm  in  pain! 
Sp.  of  Tiber.: 

That  quickly  passes:  now  thine  essence  clears 

From  what  hath  held  its  thrill. 

Sp.  of  Caius: 

I  suffer,  still. 
Sp.  of  Tiber.: 

There — now — art — free — 

Sp.  of  Caius: 

Tiberius? 
Sp.  of  Tiber.: 

'T  is  I. 


ACTV  CAIUS    GRACCHUS       PAGE  167 

Sp.  of  Caius: 

All 's  strange,  I  'm  light.  Sweet  brother,  am 
I  dead? 

Sp.  of  Tiber.: 

Art  dead  to  Rome,  and  to  that  futile  swarm 
Of  sodden  things  that  peoples  all  its  hills. 

Sp.  of  Caius: 

And  now,  there  's  peace? 

Sp.  of  Tiber.: 

Aye,  that; — the  peace  of  toil, 
-Which  thou  and  I  take  up  again  as  one; 
Toil  everlasting,  and  its  sweet  reward 
Of  other  toil.  Such  is  the  Fates'  decree. 
The  universe  is  toil,  and  thou,  and  I, 
Are  of  its  spirits  bidden,  in  our  time, 
Again,  and  yet  again,  now  here,  now  there, 
To  come,  to  labor  and  to  die,  and  rise, 
And  strive — and  strive  again.  In  prison  cell 

and  pyre, 

In  stock  and  chain,  on  cross,  and  on  the  rack, 
Our  mortal  bodies  still  must  coil  and  writhe, 
That  of  those  horrors  souls  may  part  and  grow 
To  habitate  those  soulless  things  below, 
Who  curse  at  reason,  and  raise  up  as  great 
Those  who  deny  mankind  its  proper  state. 
For,  so  'twas  ordered  on  th'  initial  day: 
Upon  men's  drooping  heads,  Hate  foots  its 

way; 
Love  finds  its  thorny  path  where'er  it  may. 

Sp.  of  Caius: 

Ah!  Radiant  morn! — I  see  celestial  light! 

Sp.  of  Tiber.: 

Away — away — away  beyond  the  night! 

[Silence.  Enter,  slowly,  soldiers, — some 
bearing  torches] 


PAGE168       CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  V 

First  Sold.: 

They  've  cheated  us;  they  're  dead. 

Second  Sold.: 

We  are  too  late. 
First  Sold.: 

It  was  our  evil  fortune,  and  their  fate. 

[Enter  SEPTIMULEIUS] 
Sept.: 

So,  thou  art  loser,  Gracchus,  after  all? 

I  '11  take  what  profit  offers  from  thy  fall. 
Come,  men, — his    head!    Our    Senate    chiefs 

await, 

To  weigh  its  bulk,  that  once  outweighed  the 
Roman  state. 

[Draws  sword,  and  approaches  body, 
which  soldiers  surround] 

Curtain 


SCENE  SECOND— Day— Road  to  Rome 

[Enter  SEPTIMULEIUS,  followed  by  citi 
zen,  bearing  sack] 
Sept.: 

Stay  here,  while  I  go  forward  to  make  sure 
My  road,  and  of  an  escort. 
Cit.: 

Aye,  my  lord. 

[Exit  SEPTIMULEIUS.  Citizen  puts  down 
bag,  sits.  Mops  his  brow] 

Heigh-ho — the  day  comes  warm. 

[Enter  CALPIO,  disguised] 
Calp.: 

Good  Roman,  hail! 
Cit.: 

Fair  day  to  thee. 
Calp.: 

Hast  aught  to  sell?  Some  food? 
A  cabbage — cheese — some  lettuce  heads,  per 
haps? 

at.: 

I  carry  but  one  head. 
Calp.: 

That  is  not  much. 
Cit.: 

Not  much  this  morning,  yet  last  night  it  was 
A  most  important  head;  and  on  this  morn, 
Shorn  from  its  native  stalk,  't  is  said  't  hath 

gained 

A  high  advance  in  worth. 
Calp.: 

Am  I  a  fool 
To  have  such  stories  told  me? 


PAGE  170       CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT  V 

Cit.: 

What  thou  art 

Is  naught  to  me,  good  friend;  yet  do  I  say: 
Here  's  value  now,  in  gold,  a  dozen-fold, 
More  than  there  was  last  night. 
Calp.: 

What  bearest  thou? 
Cit.: 

The  head  of  Caius  Gracchus. 
Calp.: 

Gracchus? 

at.: 

Aye. 
Calp.: 

And  how  's  its  value  raised? 
Cit.: 

Why,  see  thee  here! 

The  Consul  hath  offered  all  its  weight  in  gold, 
Whereon  its  weight 's  no  more  of  bone  and 

greys, 

But  bone  and  lead  instead. 
Calp.: 

Thy  master  's  wise. 
Cit.: 

He  's  more.  He  's  shrewd. 
Calp.: 

But  of  this  Gracchus, — say — 
What  manner  man  was  he?  Dost  know?  I  Ve 

heard — 
Cit.: 

Not  half  what  I  could  tell  thee,  warrant  thee; 
For  who  should  know,  if  not  the  man  who 

bears 

His  head  for  weighing? 
Calp.: 

True;  and  he,  thou  sayst — 
Cit.: 

Was  a  most  evil  rogue:  defied  our  state, 
Our  sacred  Senate,  all  our  judges;  and 
Indeed,  the  gods  themselves! 


AcTV  CAIUS    GRACCHUS        PAGE  171 

Calp.: 

So  I  have  heard — 

Cit.: 

Say  not  hast  heard,  as  something  from  afar: 
I  tell  it  thee,  who  bear  his  head. 

Calp.: 

That's  sense. 
What  did  he  seek  for,  truly? 

Cit.: 

Who  shall  say 

What  foul  design  was  in  his  heart — or  in  his 
head? 

But  this  all  men  are  sure  on:  that  he  was 

The  enemy  of  Rome.  Why,  think  on't,  trav 
eler  : 

He  sought  to  lead  us  honest  men  astray 

In  evil  ways,  by  vicious  pleas  for  changes. 

He  sought — he  sought  most  wicked,  horrible 
things : 

T'  oppress  the  high,  to  raise  the  plebs  to 

power — 
Calp.: 

He  was  a  danger — he — ;  'tis  well  he's  dead. 

Cit.: 

So  men  of  substance  say. Now — Rome's  secure! 

Calp.: 

Pray  to  the  gods  that  state  may  long  endure. 

[Enter  SEPTIMULEIUS,  with  guards] 
Sept.: 

Come,  creature,  walk! 

Cit.: 

Aye,  honorable  lord. 

Calp.: 

Speed  on,  my  friend,  in  safety. 

[Exeunt  SEPTIMULEIUS  and  guards] 


PAGE  172       CAIUS    GRACCHUS  ACT¥ 

Cit.:  [walks  off,  with  sack] 

Many  thanks. 

Who  serves  the  state,  as  I,  in  honored  toil, 
Hath  naught  to  fear  on  Roma's  sacred  soil. 
I  bear  a  rebel's  head  upon  my  back, 
But    what    my    shoulders    hold,    none    will 

attack. 
Calp.: 

So,  Caius  Gracchus'  head,  encased  in  rags, 
Returns  to  Rome,  its  god  become  its  jest! 
Thou  evil  place!  I  spit  on  thee,  proud  Rome — 
Thou  nest  of  rogues  and  fools !  The  rogues  on 

high, 
The  fools,  who  for  those  rogues  toil,  fight  and 

die  : 
Whose  souls  are  appetites,  whose  minds  are 

lust, 
And  for  whose  pleasures  worlds  are  ground 

to  dust! 

Curtain 


i 


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